OpenGov


OpenGov is a Silicon Valley technology company that offers cloud-based software for public sector budgeting, community development, and financial management. OpenGov serves over 1,000 cities, counties, and state agencies across 48 states with the mission of powering more effective and accountable government. In April 2020, OpenGov released a full-cloud ERP system designed specifically for municipal and county governments.

History

OpenGov was founded in 2012 by Zachary Bookman, Nate Levine, Dakin Sloss, and Joe Lonsdale. The company's founders and several advisors met while working with California Common Sense, a non-profit non-partisan organization, which advocates for open data and open government principles. After observing the public sector's struggle to combat the ongoing budget crisis with outdated software systems, the group founded OpenGov with the long-term goal of bringing a modern cloud ERP to local and state governments.
In April 2016, OpenGov acquired Ontodia, a leading developer of Open data CKAN, allowing OpenGov to build out its offerings with a managed open data CKAN and dashboards to OpenGov's Reporting & Transparency suite.
In October 2017, OpenGov acquired government-serving tech company, Peak Democracy of Berkeley, Calif, to expand its public engagement, communication, and feedback tools.
In September 2019, OpenGov acquired ViewPoint Cloud, a platform used by city and state governments to manage community development operations, such as permitting, licensing, inspections, and code enforcement..
In April 2020, OpenGov launched the first fully-integrated cloud ERP designed specifically for local government, which includes a platform of core modules for Budgeting & Planning, Financial Management, Community Development, and Reporting & Transparency.

Customers

As of April 2020, OpenGov serves 1,000 government entities.

Municipalities

The City of Palo Alto was OpenGov's first customer, following a collaboration between the city and employees from nonprofit California Common Sense to launch a comprehensive open data platform.
Other notable municipality customers include Minneapolis, MN, San Antonio, TX, Richmond, VA, and Tucson, AZ.

Counties

Notable county customers of OpenGov include Dallas County, TX,Maricopa County, AZ, and Suffolk County, NY.

States

launched OhioCheckbook.com with OpenGov in early December 2014. Ohio was one of the first states in the country to use a searchable, machine readable checkbook for transactions. The Treasurer's Office allows local governments to place their checkbook level data on OhioCheckbook.com at no cost to the agencies themselves. These local governments include cities, counties, townships, schools, library districts and other special districts.
In 2016, the Colorado Department of the Treasury implemented OpenGov to explore and report on its debt obligations from a central system.
In 2019, the State of West Virginia partnered with OpenGov to launch statewide financial reporting between the State and West Virginia municipalities, after having launched a transparency initiative with OpenGov in the previous year.
In 2020, the State of Idaho Controller's Office, which had already used OpenGov software to improve fiscal transparency, began using OpenGov to manage CARES Act grant funding due to the COVID-19 crisis.

Schools and Special Districts

Notable OpenGov school and special district customers include the Menlo Park City School District, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and the Jackson County Water and Sewerage Authority in Georgia.

Board members

OpenGov's board consists of Co-Founder & Chairman Joe Lonsdale, Co-Founder & CEO Zac Bookman, Marc Andreessen of Andreessen Horowitz, Vice Chair of First Republic Bank Katherine August-deWilde and Cisco Executive chairman John Chambers.

Advisors

OpenGov is advised by experts from the technology, financial, and public service sectors. Examples include:
OpenGov has raised $128 million from venture capital and angel investors. A$3 million Series A round in 2012 included venture funds 8VC, Founder Collective, Valiant Capital, and "a number of high-profile angel investors." In 2013, the company raised $4 million in further investment from 8VC and new investor Thrive Capital.
On May 15, 2014, OpenGov announced a new $15 million Series B round of funding including investments from Andreessen Horowitz, 8VC, Group 11, Streamlined Ventures, Sway Ventures, and Thrive Capital.
An additional $25 million Series B round in October 2015 included additional investments from Andreessen Horowitz, 8VC, Thrive Capital, and Sway Ventures, as well as new investors Glynn Capital, Scott Cook, and Ashton Kutcher and Guy Oseary’s Sound Ventures. Marc Andreessen was also added to the board during the October 15, 2015, round.
In May 2017, the company raised $30 million in a Series C founding round and in September 2019, the startup picked up an additional $51 million in a Series D round led by Weatherford Capital and 8VC, with participation from existing investor Andreessen Horowitz.