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DevOps, the term for a philosophy of combining software development and operations, is turning into a big business - as software continues eating the world, DevOps is a methodology for helping developers write more software, faster.
On a larger scale, tech giants are investing in DevOps as well. Just a few years ago, investors would have balked at developer-focused startups. But in 2018, the industry proved that it's here to stay. Microsoft acquired GitHub, Google Cloud is snapping up a DevOps research firm, and now, with DevOps startups, developers want in. These startups range from ones that help companies release code faster, to those that help IT departments keep up.
It's not just in terms of M&A, either. The most in-demand job that recruiters are looking for on LinkedIn is that of DevOps engineer. As those roles fill up, they'll need DevOps-focused tools to help them do their jobs. Enter the new class of DevOps startups that are helping plug that gap.
We looked at a variety of factors when selecting this list including the experience of leaders and founders, the reputations of investors and the amount of funding raised along with valuations, based on data from online finance database Pitchbook, keeper of such records. We also selected startups at a variety of stages from just starting out, to well established.
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Here are the five DevOps startups to bet your career on in 2019:
Valuation: $48 million Total raised to date: $18.6 million Year founded: 2014 HQ: Oakland, CA
What it does: NPM manages Node.js, which is one of the world's largest software registries and helps JavaScript developers easily share chunks of code.
Why it's hot: NPM has benefitted greatly from DevOps boom, and in just the last four years, it has already raised almost $19 million. As Node.js continues to grow in popularity, NPM stands to benefit.
LaunchDarkly: a on/off switch for test features
Valuation: $90 million Total raised to date: $34.84 million Year founded: 2014 HQ: Oakland, CA
What it does: LaunchDarkly helps developers test and manage how new features get deployed to an app's users. With LaunchDarkly, customers can quickly manage features, switching them on and off for select batches of test users.
Why it's hot: When LaunchDarkly first tried to raise seed funding in 2014, investors laughed. But fast forward to now, and DevOps is all the rage. LaunchDarkly, a DevOps startup, has proved that it can help with the practice of deploying code faster, something that is going to become increasingly important in the years to come.
Snyk: hunting through your software for threats
Valuation: $100 million Total raised to date: $32.04 million Year founded: 2015 HQ: London
What it does: Snyk automates the process of finding and fixing vulnerabilities in open source software. In other words, it continuously keeps a lookout for security issues in your code — and fixes them.
Why it's hot: This year, Snyk raised $22 million on a $100 million valuation. As breaches and vulnerabilities become more common and continue to make headlines, more venture capitalists are investing in security. This kind of approach will help DevOps teams make sure their software is secure, even as they accelerate the rate at which they deliver code.
GitLab: A high-flying rival to Microsoft's GitHub
Valuation: $1.12 billion Total raised to date: $165.82 million Year founded: 2011 HQ: San Francisco
What it does: GitLab is used for project planning to help developers collaborate on code, as well as managing and monitoring code.
Why it's hot: Forrester named GitLab as the leader in continuous integration or continuous development — practices that allow developers to test and push code to customers faster and more often. DevOps is where investors want to throw their money, and GitLab is a leader in the space. Just look at this past year: in September, GitLab closed $100 million in a round led by Iconiq Capital, and just three months later, Goldman Sachs invested another $20 million.
PagerDuty: coordinated IT alerts
Valuation: $1.3 billion Total raised to date: $173.70 million Year founded: 2009 HQ: San Francisco
What it does: PagerDuty helps companies quickly respond to IT incidents and alerts the best people to respond to any given incident, giving information about the incident and providing analysis — a vital tool in a DevOps workflow, where incidents have to be resolved quickly so the pace can continue.
Why it's hot: PagerDuty has been named one of the top companies in DevOps — a term that combines development and operations. DevOps is a gold mine for investors. In September, PagerDuty raised $90 million, and rumor has it that it's gearing up for IPO.
