Founder Story: Roy Mann of Monday.com

Monday.com was born out of a frustration Mann and co-founder Eran Zinman felt with the tools available to manage teams and projects. The duo envisioned software that was not only customizable but also easy to adopt—a product that teams would love using.

From Gaming to Productivity: Shaping a Vision

Before founding Monday.com in 2012, Roy Mann honed his skills in diverse technological roles. Serving as Chief Technology Officer at Wix, a leading website-building platform, Mann delved into user-centric design and scalable systems. While his time at Wix refined his expertise in creating accessible platforms, his earlier ventures—including SaveAnAlien.com and Playtika—showcased his entrepreneurial grit. These experiences collectively shaped his ability to identify gaps in the market and deliver solutions that resonate with users.

A Vision Born from Real Problems

One of the cornerstone philosophies behind Monday.com emerged from a simple yet profound idea: solving real workplace inefficiencies. While leading projects at Wix, Mann experienced firsthand the frustration caused by disjointed communication and inadequate project oversight. Recognizing that most existing tools were either overly complex or lacked adaptability, Mann and Zinman aimed to create a solution that catered to diverse workflows.

Their approach was deeply user-driven. From the very beginning, Mann emphasized collecting extensive user feedback and rapidly iterating on the product. This relentless focus on customer insights led to the launch of Monday.com (originally called Dapulse) in 2014, offering an adaptable platform capable of fitting any team structure or industry need. By 2018, the platform had become a critical tool in over 200 business verticals, underscoring its universal appeal.

Disrupting the Status Quo

Unlike most startups entering crowded markets with radical innovations, Mann and Zinman took an unconventional path—they improved on an already-saturated industry. By leveraging a user-centric approach and cutting-edge features such as automation and data visualization, Monday.com disrupted legacy players like Asana and Trello.

A significant turning point came in 2017 when the company rebranded from Dapulse to Monday.com. Mann described this as a pivotal moment for the company’s growth: “By 2016, we had $20 million in revenue, but the name Dapulse was holding us back. Senior executives hesitated to sign deals with a company that sounded like a startup experiment.” The rebranding not only boosted credibility but also symbolized their mission to make Mondays—and work itself—more productive and enjoyable.

Building in the Face of Opposition

Monday.com’s early days were far from smooth. During the initial fundraising stages, Mann and his team faced rejection from 99% of investors. Undeterred, they focused on bootstrapping and utilizing their internal analytics tool, Big Brain, to optimize operations and demonstrate value through data.

Mann’s perseverance paid off. By 2019, Monday.com had achieved unicorn status with a $150 million Series D round that brought its valuation to $1.9 billion. The substantial growth came not only from the platform’s robust capabilities but also through innovative marketing strategies such as performance marketing and a self-service product-led growth model.

Defining Moments

Rebranding to Monday.com (2017): The decision to rebrand played a crucial role in removing barriers to enterprise-level adoption. It marked a shift in perception, helping the software appeal to larger organizations.
Going Public (2021): On June 10, 2021, Monday.com debuted on Nasdaq with a valuation of $6.8 billion, cementing its status as a SaaS leader. The IPO marked not only a financial milestone but also a symbolic win for Israeli startups breaking into the global tech scene.
Becoming a Work OS (2020 Launch of Monday 2.0): The platform’s evolution into a full-fledged Work OS—allowing users to build custom apps—highlighted Mann’s visionary leadership. By expanding beyond project management to broader organizational needs, Monday.com fundamentally transformed how teams operate.

Leadership Philosophy

Mann’s leadership philosophy revolves around transparency, agility, and empowering others. He implemented tools like Monday Morning, an in-house app providing employees with daily updates on financials and targets, reinforcing the company's culture of openness.

Reflecting on failure as a growth tool, Mann once stated, “You need to fail often to learn quickly.” This ethos influenced Monday.com’s iterative product development approach, enabling the company to pivot effectively and address user needs.

Industry Impact

Under Roy Mann’s leadership, Monday.com has redefined the software landscape. Before its emergence, project management tools were often pigeonholed into rigid templates and workflows. Monday.com’s modular design democratized software creation, empowering even non-technical teams to build tailored applications.

The platform’s impact is evident in its numbers. By 2025, Monday.com boasts over 250,000 customers across 200 countries, with revenue surpassing $1 billion annually. Competitors have responded by adapting their own offerings, while analysts now refer to Monday.com as a “mini Salesforce,” underscoring its trailblazing success.

Legacy and Future Vision

Roy Mann’s journey from CTO to co-CEO of a multi-billion-dollar company reflects the power of persistence and a user-first mindset. As Monday.com continues to expand into new verticals such as CRM and sales tools, Mann’s vision remains rooted in simplifying the complexities of work for global teams.

Reflecting on the company’s mission, he once said: “Work tools should be something you love as much as your personal tools.” This sentiment encapsulates the legacy of Monday.com—a platform designed to humanize technology while driving success on a global scale. Looking forward, Mann’s commitment to innovation and adaptability ensures that Monday.com will remain at the forefront of digital transformation.

Closing Thoughts

Roy Mann has not only built a company but also pioneered a new way for organizations to think about work management. His story serves as a testament to the transformative power of grit, innovation, and user-centric design. For aspiring entrepreneurs, Mann’s journey illustrates the importance of confronting challenges head-on while staying true to your vision. As Monday.com continues to shape the future of work, Mann’s legacy is one of empowerment—enabling teams around the world to achieve their best.