| Shift Technologies Inc. | |
| Industry: | Software, Application software |
| Type: | Privately held company |
| Hq Location City: | Victoria, British Columbia |
| Hq Location Country: | Canada |
| Hq Location: | 1515 Douglas St #520 Victoria, BC V8W 2G4 |
| Parent: | Redbrick Technologies Inc. |
| Areas Served: | Worldwide (mainly English-speaking countries) |
| Products: | Shift browser |
Shift Technology Inc. is a software company located in Victoria, British Columbia. The company's Shift browser integrates multiple web apps and digital tools, creating a seamless environment that connects various online activities.
Shift Technologies, Inc is a company based in Victoria, BC Canada whose primary product is a web-based browser designed to centralize and simplify the user experience. It is a portfolio company of Redbrick Technologies Inc.
Shift was originally released as a beta product in 2016 as a productivity app, and then positioned as a desktop productivity tool in 2017 with the release of version 2.0.
Shift was originally built on the Electron framework but is now based on top of Chromium with a UI written in TypeScript and React.
Users can create custom browser workspaces to organize their activities, tabs, and apps, with options to adjust notifications, mute alerts, and schedule quiet hours for a more focused browsing experience.
App Integrations: Supports over 1,500 web applications, allowing users to manage tools like Slack, Gmail, Trello, Asana, and more directly within the browser.
Multiple Account Management: Enables seamless switching between multiple accounts (e.g., email or social media) without logging in and out.
Customizable Workspaces: Offers tailored workspaces for organizing apps, tabs, and tools based on specific workflows or projects.
Unified Search: A cross-platform search function that helps users find information across all integrated apps, emails, and tabs.
Privacy and Security: Provides encrypted connections and enhanced privacy settings to protect user data while working online.
Cross-Platform Compatibility: Available on Windows, macOS, and Linux, ensuring accessibility for a wide range of users.
Shift browser was first launched in 2016, with regularly updated releases. The table below outlines key milestones achieved for the company each year.
| scope=col | Year | scope=col | Key Milestones |
|---|---|---|---|
| scope=row | 2016 | Beta version of Shift launches as a Redbrick side project, by employees who wanted have multiple email accounts and calendars in one place without logging in and out. | |
| scope=row | 2017 | Shift V1 launches, built on the Electron framework.Shift V1.1 launches in February with Office 365 integration and multi-language spell check.Shift 2.0 launches in November. Electron framework is replaced with Muon to allow for the integration of Chrome extensions.Shift 2.2 launches in December with 10 additional app integrations. | |
| scope=row | 2018 | Shift 2.7 launches in March. Shift V3 launchedReached $1M in revenue and has over 35,000 users[1] | |
| scope=row | 2019 | Seed Funding: Secured $1 million CAD in seed funding to enhance its workplace productivity desktop application.[2] [3] [4] Investment Breakdown:
| |
| scope=row | 2020 | Shift V5 launched | |
| scope=row | 2021 | Shift V6 launchedShift positioned as and gaining recognition for being a desktop productivity app.[5] | |
| scope=row | 2022 | Shift V7 launchedShift V8 launches, featuring the ability to add multiple accounts in different called Workspaces, Epic Search which allows users to search across multiple accounts, and badge notifications. | |
| scope=row | 2023 | Shift Ultra (V9) launched, marking the transition from a desktop productivity tool to an app-integrated browser with more customization options. | |
| scope=row | 2024 | Acquires shift.com domain as part of strategy to innovate and improve browser functionality.[6] Hired a Chief Nomad Officer to travel and create travel-based content while using Shift[7] . |
In 2024, Shift, as a portfolio company of Redbrick, is BCorp-certified.[8]
Tobyn Sowden, the founder of Redbrick and Shift, was named Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 Pacific.[9]
Redbrick, Shift Technologies Inc's parent company, was named one of Canada's Top Small & Medium Employers for 2024, the fifth consecutive year as a top employer.[10] [11]
Shift acquires shift.com in 2024, pioneering a new era of browser innovation.[12]
2023: Shift’s CEO Nadia Tatlow on what it’s like to be a female CEO and breaking gender norms in the tech industry.[13]
Shift is a Webby Award nominee for the categories Apps & Software and Work & Productivity.[14]
Shift was nominated at the 25th Webby Awards in 2021 for the category of Productivity & Collaboration Apps & Software.[15]
In 2019, Shift closes first seed round, led by Panache Ventures and Redbrick Technologies, and appoints Nadia Tatlow as first CEO.[16]
In 2016, Redbrick named to the Profit 500 ranking of Canada’s fastest-growing companies, topping the list of Victoria firms at No. 5.[17]
In 2014, Redbrick was nominated as Emerging Technology Company of the Year at the VIATEC (Victoria, Advanced Technology & Entrepreneurship Council) Awards.