Statwing

Statwing was a software company that provided a web-based statistical analysis tool designed to simplify data analysis for users without extensive statistical training. Founded in San Francisco in 2012 by Greg Laughlin and John Le, the company aimed to offer a more intuitive alternative to complex software like SPSS or R. The founders' backgrounds complemented this mission; Laughlin had experience as a consultant and product manager, translating complex data into understandable insights, while Le had a background in artificial intelligence and computer science from Stanford. Their shared experience at a company called CrowdFlower highlighted the need for a more accessible data analysis tool.

The company participated in the Y Combinator accelerator program in the summer of 2012 and secured an undisclosed amount of Angel funding in January 2014. Statwing's core product was a point-and-click tool that allowed users to upload datasets, such as spreadsheets, and perform statistical analysis. The software automated the selection of appropriate statistical tests (like T-tests or ANOVAs) and visualizations, presenting results in plain English alongside traditional statistical output. This catered to a broad market, from market researchers and data analysts to business users who found tools like Excel's pivot tables insufficient for their needs. The platform's features included regression analysis, data visualization, pivot tables, and hypothesis testing, enabling clients to analyze data on customer churn or the effectiveness of marketing campaigns.

The business operated on a subscription-based model with tiered pricing plans for different usage levels. In a significant milestone, Statwing was acquired by the survey technology firm Qualtrics on May 26, 2016, for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition was part of Qualtrics' strategy to integrate Statwing's user-friendly analysis capabilities into its own Insight Platform, making advanced data analysis accessible to a wider range of its customers without requiring them to use specialized external software. Following the acquisition, co-founder Greg Laughlin transitioned to a role as a Product Manager at Qualtrics.

Keywords: statistical analysis software, data visualization tool, Y Combinator alumni, Qualtrics acquisition, data analysis automation, user-friendly statistics, spreadsheet analysis, market research analytics, business intelligence tool, regression analysis, hypothesis testing, customer data analysis, SaaS, point-and-click interface, SPSS alternative, Excel analytics, survey data analysis, John Le, Greg Laughlin, San Francisco startup, data cleaning, interactive reports, automated insights