SPS Commerce Bundle
Who Owns SPS Commerce?
Understanding SPS Commerce's ownership is key to grasping its strategic direction and accountability. Its IPO in 2010 on the Nasdaq Global Market under SPSC marked a significant shift, opening ownership to a wider investor base and transforming its financial operations.
Originally founded as St. Paul Software, Inc. in 1987, the company evolved into a leading cloud-based supply chain management software provider. Its mission centers on perfecting trading partner relationships through automated data exchange.
As of July 2025, SPS Commerce, with $536.9 million in 2023 revenue and a market cap around $5.33 billion, is primarily owned by institutional investors, mutual funds, and individual shareholders. This public ownership structure influences its governance and strategic decisions, impacting its SPS Commerce PESTEL Analysis.
Who Founded SPS Commerce?
SPS Commerce, Inc. traces its origins back to 1987 when Gary W. Anderson founded the company under the name St. Paul Software, Inc. While precise initial ownership percentages are not publicly detailed, the company's early development was significantly supported by external investment, positioning it for future growth before its public offering.
| Founding Year | Original Name | Founder |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | St. Paul Software, Inc. | Gary W. Anderson |
Before its initial public offering, SPS Commerce secured substantial funding. The company raised a total of $50.5 million across four distinct funding rounds.
Several institutional investors played a crucial role in the company's early capitalisation. Notable among these were Axiom Venture Partners, Granite Partners, and Adams Street Partners.
The latest funding before the company went public was a Series B round. This round, which took place in June 2007, successfully raised $7.5 million.
The foundational vision of the early team was to transform supply chain management through technological innovation. This ambition was key to attracting the necessary early capital.
SPS Commerce is a publicly traded company. Its stock is available on a major exchange, allowing for broad SPS Commerce ownership among public investors.
Details concerning early founder agreements, such as vesting schedules or buy-sell clauses, are not readily available in public records due to the company's history and evolution.
The early capital infusion was instrumental in SPS Commerce's ability to develop and expand its operations. This strategic financial backing enabled the company to pursue its mission of revolutionizing supply chain interactions before its eventual public debut, contributing to its current market position. Understanding the Growth Strategy of SPS Commerce provides further context on how this early capital was utilized.
The initial ownership structure of SPS Commerce, founded as St. Paul Software, Inc. in 1987 by Gary W. Anderson, is not extensively documented in public records. However, the company's trajectory involved significant early investment, crucial for its growth and eventual public offering.
- The company was founded in 1987 by Gary W. Anderson.
- Prior to its IPO, SPS Commerce raised a total of $50.5 million in funding.
- Key early institutional investors included Axiom Venture Partners, Granite Partners, and Adams Street Partners.
- The last pre-IPO funding round was a Series B in June 2007, raising $7.5 million.
- Specific details on initial equity splits or founder agreements are not publicly disclosed.
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How Has SPS Commerce’s Ownership Changed Over Time?
SPS Commerce's transition to a publicly traded entity on April 22, 2010, marked a pivotal moment in its ownership structure. The initial public offering on the Nasdaq Global Market under the ticker SPSC broadened its investor base significantly beyond its founders and early backers.
| Event | Date | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Public Offering (IPO) | April 22, 2010 | Common stock began trading on Nasdaq; ownership expanded. |
| Reverse Stock Split | April 13, 2010 | Adjusted share count prior to IPO. |
| Stock Split | August 22, 2019 | 2-for-1 split, increasing the number of outstanding shares. |
Following its IPO, SPS Commerce has seen its ownership evolve, with institutional investors becoming significant stakeholders. As of the first quarter of 2025, major asset managers hold substantial portions of the company's stock, reflecting confidence in its market position and future prospects. This broad institutional ownership influences the company's governance and strategic direction.
Institutional investors collectively own a significant percentage of SPS Commerce. These large entities play a crucial role in the company's shareholder base.
- The Vanguard Group, Inc. held approximately 5.89 million shares as of March 31, 2025.
- BlackRock Inc. reported ownership of about 4.97 million shares.
- T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. possessed roughly 3.78 million shares.
- Morgan Stanley held approximately 1.34 million shares.
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Who Sits on SPS Commerce’s Board?
The Board of Directors at SPS Commerce is tasked with guiding the company's strategic direction and ensuring robust corporate governance. Key figures include Archie C. Black, serving as CEO and Director, and Kimberly K. Nelson, who holds the position of Executive Vice President and CFO. The board's composition aims for a balance of executive experience, long-term investor representation, and independent oversight to foster diverse perspectives in decision-making.
| Director Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Archie C. Black | CEO & Director |
| Kimberly K. Nelson | Executive Vice President & CFO |
| [Other Director Name] | [Director Role] |
| [Another Director Name] | [Director Role] |
SPS Commerce adheres to a standard one-share-one-vote principle for its common stock, a typical structure for companies listed on Nasdaq. This means voting power is directly tied to the number of shares owned, with no indications of dual-class share structures or special voting rights that could concentrate control. The company has experienced a stable governance environment, with no significant reported proxy fights or activist campaigns in recent years, suggesting a consistent approach to shareholder engagement and decision-making.
For investors and stakeholders interested in SPS Commerce ownership, understanding the voting power distribution is key. The company's structure ensures that voting rights are aligned with share ownership, reflecting a transparent approach to corporate control.
- SPS Commerce operates under a one-share-one-vote system.
- Voting power is directly proportional to share ownership.
- There are no publicly known dual-class shares or special voting rights.
- This structure promotes a balanced influence among SPS Commerce shareholders.
- Understanding this is crucial for analyzing SPS Commerce investors and their impact.
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What Recent Changes Have Shaped SPS Commerce’s Ownership Landscape?
Over the last few years, SPS Commerce has actively expanded its market reach and capabilities through strategic acquisitions. These moves, including the purchases of Data Masons, Genius Central, GCommerce, InterTrade, TIE Kinetix, Traverse Systems, SupplyPike, and Carbon6, have involved significant financial outlays, totaling hundreds of millions of dollars. Such transactions can subtly influence the company's ownership structure by potentially diluting existing stakes or bringing in new investors.
| Acquisition | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Data Masons | 2020 | $100 million |
| Genius Central | 2021 | $17 million |
| GCommerce | 2022 | $45 million |
| InterTrade | 2022 | $49 million |
| TIE Kinetix | 2023 | €64.5 million |
| Traverse Systems | 2024 | $25 million |
| SupplyPike | 2024 | $206 million |
| Carbon6 | 2025 | $210 million |
Industry trends suggest a growing concentration of ownership among institutional investors, a pattern that aligns with SPS Commerce's major stakeholder profile. While the company has not publicly announced any significant share buybacks, secondary offerings, or plans for privatization, its consistent institutional backing indicates it remains an attractive investment for large funds. Leadership changes, such as the appointment of Mike Svatek as Chief Product Officer in 2025, signal ongoing operational evolution. The company's sustained growth, driven by both organic expansion and strategic acquisitions, points to a focus on strengthening its market position rather than immediate, substantial shifts in its public ownership status.
Institutional investors hold a significant portion of SPS Commerce stock. This trend reflects the company's stability and growth potential, making it a favored holding for large investment funds.
SPS Commerce has consistently pursued acquisitions to enhance its capabilities and market presence. These strategic purchases, totaling over $600 million in recent years, underscore a commitment to inorganic expansion.
Despite ongoing acquisitions, SPS Commerce's ownership structure appears stable. There are no current indications of major shifts like privatization or large-scale divestitures by key stakeholders.
Recent leadership appointments, such as the Chief Product Officer role, indicate a focus on operational development. These changes are part of the company's broader strategy to adapt and grow within its industry.
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