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Ivan Zhao

CEO and Founder of Notion

Ivan Zhao is the co-founder and CEO of Notion, a leading productivity tool known for its flexibility and comprehensive features. Born and raised in Ürümqi, China, Zhao moved to Vancouver during his high school years, where he honed his English skills and developed a passion for computer science and art. He pursued his studies at the University of British Columbia, focusing on cognitive science and art, which helped shape his aesthetic sensibilities and technical skills.

Before founding Notion, Zhao worked as a product designer at Inkling, a digital publishing startup. His experience there, combined with his drive to democratize access to powerful digital tools, inspired him to create a platform that would allow non-programmers to harness the power of software customization. This vision led to the inception of Notion in 2013, which he co-founded with Simon Last.

The early days of Notion were challenging, with Zhao and his team facing financial constraints and technical hurdles. However, their persistence paid off when they launched Notion 2.0 in 2018, introducing features like databases that significantly enhanced the platform's utility for project management and workflow organization. This pivotal release transformed Notion into a comprehensive tool that now supports millions of users worldwide.

Under Zhao's leadership, Notion has grown rapidly, securing substantial funding from prominent investors like Sequoia Capital and achieving a valuation of $10 billion. His innovative approach and commitment to creating a user-friendly, customizable workspace have made Notion an essential tool for individuals and teams across various industries.

Highlights

Nov 5 · twitter

We rebuilt @NotionCalendar from scratch. In the age of vibecoding, the team put a lot of craft into this. Fast, smooth, hourly delight. I think you'll like it too.

(Other client rebuilts coming soon.)

Nov 4 · twitter

https://t.co/qWccqiBCH0

Aug 11 · The Verge
Notion CEO Ivan Zhao wants you to demand better from your tools

Related Questions

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Ivan Zhao
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Experience

Product Designer at Inkling
Founder at Notion

Location

San Francisco, California, United States