UserVoice

How Fathom AI Grew to the Top-Rated AI Notetaker on the Market

February 9th, 2025

Founded By

Richard White

Days To Build

480

Founders

Profitable

Yes

Days To Build

480

Year Started

2020

Customer

B2B & B2C

Founded By
Richard White: Days To Build
480: Founders
1

Profitable
Yes: Days To Build
480: Year Started
2020

Customer
B2B & B2C

Who is Richard White?

Richard White, founder and CEO of Fathom, is an experienced entrepreneur with a history in startups like UserVoice and Kiko, and a background in engineering and design. Originally from North Carolina, he is now based in San Francisco and is a Y Combinator alum.

What problem does UserVoice solve?

Fathom solves the problem of juggling conversations and note-taking during Zoom calls by automatically recording, transcribing, and highlighting key moments, allowing users to focus on the discussion rather than frantic note-taking. Users find it valuable because it alleviates the mental stress of capturing details and ensures they don't miss important information, making their meetings more productive and less chaotic.

Fathom AI Note Taking App

How did Richard come up with the idea for UserVoice?

After spending an overwhelming amount of time on Zoom calls while researching for UserVoice, Richard White encountered the stressful challenge of balancing active conversations with meticulous note-taking. The glaring inefficiency of this process sparked the idea for a tool that would alleviate the burden of capturing meeting highlights and distill the most critical information effectively. By realizing that even well-crafted notes often fell short of conveying the essence of a conversation, Richard identified a clear problem.

Through exploring this pain point, Richard and his team immersed themselves in understanding the limitations of conventional note-taking during virtual meetings. They leveraged advanced technology to automate the essential tasks of recording, transcribing, and highlighting significant moments in real-time. This precise articulation of the problem led to a robust prototype, which they refined based on user feedback and intrinsic team insights.

Moreover, they faced the challenge of establishing a solution that was not only technically feasible but also economically viable, given the high transcription costs at the time. By hypothesizing the rapid decrease in these costs, the Fathom team strategically positioned themselves to offer a compelling free product, broadening their potential user base and overcoming initial adoption barriers. This adaptability and foresight underscore a key lesson in aligning technological advancements with market needs.

How did Richard White build the initial version of UserVoice?

Richard White and his team spent over 16 months developing Fathom, an AI-powered tool designed to enhance productivity during meetings, particularly on platforms like Zoom. They utilized a tech stack that included third-party AI models integrated into a robust infrastructure for recording, transcribing, and summarizing meeting content in real-time. Early on, the team recognized the high costs of transcription and bet on these costs eventually dropping to near zero, which proved to be a successful gamble. Building Fathom was not without its challenges, particularly in achieving a seamless user experience and rapid post-call data delivery to compete effectively against contemporaries. Despite these hurdles, focusing on fast, reliable transcription and thoughtful design resulted in a product that significantly eases the note-taking burden in meetings.

What was the growth strategy for UserVoice and how did they scale?

Product Hunt

UserVoice, under the Fathom brand, leveraged Product Hunt for a significant growth spurt. They introduced Fathom, their AI-driven Zoom call note-taking app, on Product Hunt where it rapidly gained traction. By appealing to tech-savvy early adopters who frequent the platform, Fathom was able to reach its target audience effectively. Their introduction was coupled with a strong value proposition—highlighting the app's ability to relieve users from the cumbersome task of note-taking during calls.

Fathom AI Launch on PH

Why it worked: Product Hunt is a popular platform for discovering new technology products. By launching on Product Hunt, Fathom tapped into a community that values innovative solutions, thus gaining visibility, user feedback, and initial traction among tech enthusiasts.

Referral and Waiting List Strategy

Fathom created a buzz through a robust referral strategy. They implemented a waiting list system where users received priority access for spreading the word about the app. This strategy was effective in creating demand and urgency, effectively growing their user base prior to the official launch.

Why it worked: Referral programs inherently encourage word-of-mouth marketing. By incentivizing users with earlier access, Fathom cultivated a sense of exclusivity and viral growth, making users eager to share with their networks.

Partnerships and Integrations

Strategic partnerships played a crucial role in Fathom's growth. Partnering with Zoom and becoming one of the top-rated meeting assistants on their marketplace significantly boosted credibility and visibility. Fathom was also accessible via the HubSpot marketplace, capturing interest from business professionals and sales teams.

Why it worked: By associating with established platforms like Zoom and HubSpot, Fathom was able to reach a broader audience who were already engaged and likely to see the app as a valuable extension of their current tools. This trust by association expedited user adoption.

Word-of-Mouth and Community Engagement

Fathom also benefited from genuine user advocacy. CEO Richard White's consistent engagement in podcasts, interviews, and community discussions helped position Fathom as a relatable and user-centric product. This approach empowered users to evangelize the platform simply because they believed in its potential.

Why it worked: Engagement through high-trust communication channels like podcasts allows for more personal stories and insights to be shared, humanizing the brand. It builds a community that feels part of the journey, thus prompting users to promote the product naturally through word-of-mouth.

What's the pricing strategy for UserVoice?

UserVoice employs a freemium model where Fathom—an app under its umbrella—offers a free no-note-taking-needed Zoom meeting assistant, with monetization focusing on team-level subscriptions.

What were the biggest lessons learned from building UserVoice?

Emphasize User Experience: Fathom focused heavily on a seamless user experience, making their tool easy to access and use during meetings. This resulted in high adoption rates and user satisfaction. Aspiring founders should prioritize user experience to ensure their product is both effective and user-friendly.
Strategic Freemium Model: By offering a version of the product for free, Fathom drove rapid adoption and virality, ensuring more users experienced their product without financial barriers. Consider using freemium models to build a user base before monetizing with advanced features.
Adapt to Market Conditions: Fathom raised funds in small, frequent tranches, adapting to changing market conditions and taking advantage of good times while preparing for downturns. Stay flexible in funding strategies to survive and thrive in shifting financial landscapes.
Leverage Existing Networks: Hiring former colleagues and trusted team members helped Fathom build a strong core team quickly. For founders, utilizing existing networks can help in assembling a reliable and effective team, speeding up development and minimizing hiring risks.
Focus on Core Hypotheses: They bet on the falling cost of transcription, which allowed them to offer free services and scale rapidly. Having strong, well-researched beliefs about market trends can guide strategic decisions and product development effectively.

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