Submittable Competitive Intelligence & Landscape
submittable.com ·
What is Submittable likely to do next?
ForesightIQ connects Submittable's hiring, product, web, ad, and market signals to forecast strategic moves — often months before they're announced.
Senior hiring patterns point to a planned enterprise product line launching within two quarters.
Quiet changes to docs and pricing pages signal an upcoming usage-based pricing tier and new API surface.
Ad spend and partnership activity indicate a push into the mid-market segment across two new regions.
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Overview
Submittable Overview
Submittable's diverse target market includes government and public sector entities, foundations and nonprofits, and corporations. They cater to governments by helping create positive citizen experiences while ensuring compliance, as highlighted by clients like the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC). For foundations and nonprofits, Submittable aims to build equitable and secure programs that benefit both applicants and internal teams. Corporations leverage Submittable's CSR software to boost employee participation and reduce administrative burdens, as evidenced by testimonials from companies like HubSpot.
The company's offerings extend to specialized areas such as relief funds, scholarships, fellowships, and awards management. Submittable also provides valuable features like fraud prevention, funds distribution and tracking, impact reporting, and integrations with tools like Microsoft Teams. With a strong commitment to making a positive impact, Submittable positions itself as a crucial partner for organizations looking to maximize their social good in less time, without having to choose between effective processes and meaningful human engagement.
Competitors
Submittable Competitors
One significant competitor in the grant management space is Foundant Technologies. Foundant also offers a suite of products, including Grant Lifecycle Manager, designed for foundations to manage the entire grantmaking process from application to reporting. Similar to Submittable, Foundant aims to simplify operations for grantmakers. However, Foundant often positions itself with a strong focus on the foundation market, while Submittable extends its reach to governments, corporations, and nonprofits with broader CSR capabilities. Feature parity can be high in core grant management, but differences may emerge in specific integrations or the breadth of CSR functionalities like employee giving and volunteering, where Submittable offers dedicated solutions and integrations such as WeHero for volunteering experiences.
Another competitor, particularly in the broader CSR and employee engagement market, is Benevity. Benevity is well-known for its corporate purpose software, encompassing workplace giving, volunteering, and grant management. Benevity often caters to larger enterprises looking for a holistic approach to their social impact initiatives. While both Submittable and Benevity offer comprehensive CSR solutions, Benevity's market share is substantial among large corporations, often emphasizing its global reach and robust analytics for impact measurement. Submittable, while also serving corporations, often highlights its user-friendly interface and flexibility in managing diverse programs, aiming to provide a powerful yet intuitive platform for organizations of all sizes, from small nonprofits to large government entities.
In the realm of applicant tracking and program management, SmartSimple presents a competitive offering, especially for organizations with complex reporting and workflow needs. SmartSimple provides a highly configurable platform that can be tailored for grants management, awards, and other program administration. Its strength lies in its customization capabilities, allowing clients to build intricate workflows to match their specific requirements. Submittable, while also configurable, often prioritizes ease of use and a more standardized, yet flexible, approach to program setup, aiming for a balance between powerful features and straightforward implementation. SmartSimple's pricing model might cater more to organizations requiring extensive custom development, whereas Submittable offers clear product lines for different program types, emphasizing efficiency and positive user experience across the board.
Finally, considering indirect competition, solutions like Blackbaud offer a vast ecosystem of software for nonprofits, including fundraising, CRM, and some grant management tools. While Blackbaud's offerings are extensive, their grant management components might be part of a broader suite rather than a standalone, highly specialized solution like Submittable's. Submittable's dedicated focus on grant and CSR program management allows it to develop deep functionalities and specific features for these areas, such as advanced fraud prevention, sophisticated funds distribution, and impact reporting tailored to the unique needs of grantmakers and CSR leaders, offering a more focused and often more agile solution for those specific use cases.
Alternatives
Submittable Alternatives
Product & Pricing
Submittable Product and Pricing Intelligence
While Submittable's website details their extensive product capabilities and the value they provide, specific pricing plans, tiers, and free vs. paid features are not openly published on their public pages. Interested parties are encouraged to watch an on-demand demo or talk to sales to get tailored information regarding their service offerings and associated costs. This approach suggests a customized pricing model, likely dependent on the organization's size, specific needs, and the scope of programs they intend to run using the platform. There is no indication of a free tier or a transparent breakdown of feature availability across different pricing levels directly on their site.
Information regarding recent pricing changes for Submittable is also not publicly available. Companies offering enterprise-level software solutions often maintain a degree of privacy around their pricing structures, negotiating terms directly with clients. This allows them to offer flexible solutions that can scale with the diverse requirements of their customer base, from small nonprofits to large government agencies. Organizations looking to implement Submittable's platform for grant management or corporate social responsibility initiatives would need to engage directly with their sales team to understand the current pricing and how it aligns with their budget and operational needs.
Hiring & Layoffs
Submittable Hiring and Layoffs
The absence of direct information regarding hiring patterns on the homepage suggests that such details are likely found on dedicated career pages or through external employment platforms. The overall tone of the website, which champions purpose and social impact, could indicate a company culture that values commitment to its mission. Roles related to software development, customer success, sales, marketing, and corporate social responsibility expertise would be critical for a company like Submittable to maintain its competitive edge and support its diverse clientele.
To gain a comprehensive understanding of Submittable's hiring and layoff information, it would be necessary to consult their careers page, LinkedIn profile, or other employment tracking websites. The testimonials from clients like MGCC and HubSpot, praising Submittable's ease of use and ability to maximize reach, underscore the company's dedication to improving user experience and program efficiency, which would undoubtedly influence their recruitment strategies for roles that contribute to these outcomes.
Leadership
Submittable Management and Leadership Team
Submittable's commitment to social impact is evident in its product offerings and resources, which include tools for fraud prevention, funds distribution, impact reporting, and integrations with platforms like Microsoft Teams. The company highlights that its CSR experts have firsthand experience leading programs at major corporations like Google and EA, indicating a leadership structure that values practical, high-level expertise in the social impact space.
The company’s focus on customer success is underscored by its extensive resources, including customer stories, a blog, events, and guides. This dedication suggests a leadership team committed to providing comprehensive support and fostering a positive experience for its diverse client base, which includes government agencies, foundations, and corporations seeking to maximize their reach and impact. Their platform aims to deliver "more good in less time" by simplifying complex administrative tasks associated with grant and CSR initiatives.
Financials
Submittable Financial Performance, Fundraising, M&A
Regarding fundraising, Submittable has successfully secured capital to fuel its growth and product development. In November 2021, the company announced a $47 million Series C funding round led by BlackRock, with participation from existing investors Foundry Group and Next Coast Ventures. This significant investment aimed to enhance its offerings in grantmaking, CSR, and employee engagement solutions, demonstrating investor confidence in its market position and potential for expansion. Prior to this, Submittable raised a $10 million Series B round in 2019, bringing its total funding to over $80 million at the time of the Series C announcement.
Submittable has also engaged in strategic acquisitions to bolster its service portfolio. A notable acquisition was that of WeHero in October 2022. This acquisition integrated WeHero's employee volunteering and corporate social impact solutions directly into Submittable's platform, specifically enhancing its Volunteering Experiences offerings. This move underscores Submittable's commitment to providing comprehensive tools for corporate giving and employee engagement, further solidifying its presence in the social impact technology sector.
Partnerships
Submittable Partnerships, Clients and Vendors
Submittable emphasizes strong client relationships, showcasing the positive impact of its software through numerous success stories. For instance, the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC) has leveraged Submittable's Government Grant Management System to maximize reach to applicants, as highlighted by Kate Janowski, CCO of MGCC. Similarly, HubSpot's Senior Accreditations Program Manager, Amy Marcus, lauded Submittable for being significantly easier to use than previous tools, enhancing their CSR initiatives. These testimonials illustrate the company's effectiveness in supporting enterprise clients in their social good endeavors, creating positive experiences for both administrators and beneficiaries.
In terms of technology integrations and ecosystem relationships, Submittable continually enhances its platform to offer comprehensive capabilities. A notable integration is with Microsoft Teams, which helps streamline workflows and collaboration for users. Furthermore, Submittable offers specialized features like Impact Wallet and Cause Funds, designed to simplify fund distribution and tracking. Their commitment to innovation is also evident in their Fraud Prevention measures and robust Impact Reporting tools, ensuring security and transparency across all programs. Through these strategic integrations and continuous product development, Submittable solidifies its position as a holistic solution for managing complex grant and CSR programs.
Events
Submittable Event Participations
The company's Resources section on its website highlights various ways to engage, including "Events: Join us live or on-demand anytime." This suggests a blend of live participation and readily available recorded content, emphasizing accessibility for a global audience. These events often delve into topics such as fraud prevention, funds distribution and tracking, and impact reporting, demonstrating Submittable's comprehensive approach to social impact programs.
Through these event participations, Submittable aims to connect with social impact practitioners, offering insights and information to help them optimize their operations. Their presence at such events underscores their commitment to thought leadership in corporate social responsibility and grant management, as evidenced by their published guides and articles covering these critical areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Submittable's $47 million Series C funding round in 2021, led by BlackRock, signal about its strategic direction?
Submittable's $47 million Series C funding round in November 2021, led by BlackRock, signals a strategic focus on expanding its offerings in grantmaking, CSR, and employee engagement solutions. This significant investment demonstrates investor confidence in Submittable's market position and its potential for growth and enhanced product development in these areas.
What does Submittable's acquisition of WeHero in October 2022 indicate about its product strategy?
Submittable's acquisition of WeHero in October 2022 indicates a strategic move to bolster its employee volunteering and corporate social impact solutions. This integration enhances Submittable's 'Volunteering Experiences' offerings, signifying a commitment to providing comprehensive tools for corporate giving and employee engagement within its social impact technology platform.
What do Submittable's partnerships, such as integration with Microsoft Teams, suggest about its ecosystem strategy?
Submittable's integration with Microsoft Teams suggests an ecosystem strategy focused on streamlining workflows and collaboration for its users. These technology integrations enhance the platform's comprehensive capabilities, solidifying Submittable's position as a holistic solution for managing complex grant and CSR programs by improving interoperability with common enterprise tools.
How does Submittable differentiate its grant management and CSR software from competitors like Foundant Technologies and Benevity?
Submittable differentiates by offering a broader reach beyond foundations, catering to governments, corporations, and nonprofits with comprehensive CSR capabilities that include employee giving and volunteering, an area where it has enhanced solutions through integrations like WeHero. While Foundant focuses heavily on foundations and Benevity on large enterprise CSR, Submittable aims for a balance of powerful features and user-friendliness across diverse client sizes and program types.
What does Submittable's approach to pricing, which isn't publicly disclosed, imply for potential clients?
Submittable's non-public pricing approach implies a customized pricing model, likely dependent on an organization's size, specific needs, and the scope of programs. Potential clients will need to engage directly with Submittable's sales team to obtain tailored quotes, as there is no public indication of free tiers or standardized pricing plans.
What does Submittable's frequent participation in industry events and its 'Resources' section suggest about its go-to-market and thought leadership strategy?
Submittable's frequent participation in industry events and its 'Resources' section, featuring live and on-demand content, indicates a robust go-to-market strategy that blends direct engagement with accessible, evergreen content. This approach underscores its commitment to thought leadership in corporate social responsibility and grant management, aiming to connect with practitioners and optimize their operations.
What types of customers does Submittable prioritize based on its product offerings and testimonials?
Submittable prioritizes a diverse range of customers including government entities, corporations, foundations, nonprofits, and universities. Its product offerings like Grant Management and CSR software, along with testimonials from clients such as MGCC (government) and HubSpot (corporation), highlight its focus on organizations seeking to streamline social impact programs and enhance user experience across various sectors.
How does Submittable's emphasis on fraud prevention and impact reporting address critical needs for its target market?
Submittable's emphasis on fraud prevention and impact reporting directly addresses critical needs for its target market, particularly government entities, foundations, and corporations. These features ensure compliance, transparency, and accountability in funds distribution and program measurement, which are essential for maintaining trust and demonstrating the effectiveness of social impact initiatives.
What does the absence of specific hiring details on Submittable's homepage suggest about where to find talent strategy insights?
The absence of specific hiring details on Submittable's homepage suggests that insights into its talent strategy are likely found on dedicated career pages or external employment platforms. The company's focus on product and market expansion, however, implies a continuous need for talent in areas like software development, customer success, sales, marketing, and CSR expertise to support its growth and diverse clientele.
What does Submittable's claim of having CSR experts with experience from Google and EA imply about its leadership's expertise?
Submittable's claim of having CSR experts with experience from Google and EA implies a leadership structure that values practical, high-level expertise in the social impact space. This suggests the company is leveraging seasoned professionals to guide its product development and strategic direction, particularly in its corporate social responsibility offerings.
What are the core value propositions Submittable highlights for organizations looking to maximize social good?
Submittable highlights core value propositions of maximizing social good in less time, enhancing efficiency without compromising the human element of giving, and creating positive experiences for both administrators and beneficiaries. These are achieved through streamlined grant and CSR program management, including features like fraud prevention, funds distribution, and impact reporting.
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