Tackling the Data Challenges of Large Corporations with Sigma Computing
In 2014, Jason Frantz and Rob Woollen co-founded Sigma Computing, a platform that overlays data stored in data platforms such as Snowflake and Google BigQuery with a spreadsheet-like interface for data visualization and analytics. With Sigma, the two former software engineers sought to tackle what they perceived as the intractable data challenges faced by large corporations: unwieldy tooling and difficult-to-manage data stores.
The Data Challenge Facing Large Corporations
A 2023 survey from Oracle revealed that the majority of business leaders believe their employer’s current approach to data and analytics is not addressing their needs. Seventy-seven percent said that the dashboards and charts they get aren’t germane to decisions they need to make, and 72% admit the sheer volume of data — and their lack of trust in that data — has at times stopped them from making decisions altogether.
Sigma’s Mission
After recognizing the huge advances in cloud data infrastructure during the past decade, Jason and Rob identified a gap in the market. "Sigma is building a data workspace for everyone," Sigma Computing CEO Mike Palmer told TechCrunch in an interview. "Where teams can analyze data in spreadsheets, build business intelligence in the form of dashboards and reports, and create data workflows and applications where data never leaves a company’s data warehouse."
The Early Days of Sigma
Out of the gate (in 2014), Sigma only offered a set of basic business intelligence and analytics tools to connect to a customer’s outside databases. But the firm — which Frantz and Woollen founded while entrepreneurs in residence at Sutter Hill Ventures, Woollen having come from Salesforce’s Work.com org — quickly grew from there.
Today’s Product Suite
Today, Sigma’s product suite consists of tools that let users analyze data "in-place" in databases containing up to billions of records. Customers can tap the platform to build dashboards, reports, workflows, and apps without data leaving its source.
The Concept of Massive Multiplayer Business Intelligence
"We champion what we call ‘massive multiplayer business intelligence,’ a dynamic environment where professionals, regardless of their technical expertise, come together to leverage their distinct skills, all in real-time, all within the same platform," Palmer said.
Sigma’s Go-To-Market Strategy
Sigma’s go-to-market strategy has been focused on building relationships with key partners and customers. "We’ve been fortunate to have some amazing early adopters who have helped us shape our product and refine our approach," Palmer noted.
Avenir Growth Capital, Cloud Computing, Enterprise, Sigma Computing, Snowflake, Spark Capital, Startups, Venture
Key Takeaways
- Sigma Computing is a platform that overlays data stored in data platforms such as Snowflake and Google BigQuery with a spreadsheet-like interface for data visualization and analytics.
- The company was founded by Jason Frantz and Rob Woollen in 2014.
- Sigma’s product suite consists of tools that let users analyze data "in-place" in databases containing up to billions of records.
- The company’s go-to-market strategy has been focused on building relationships with key partners and customers.
Further Reading
- "The State of Cloud Data Infrastructure" by Oracle
- "Cloud Computing: A Guide for Business Leaders" by Harvard Business Review
- "Enterprise Technology Trends to Watch in 2023" by Forbes
