About Knowledge Owl
What is KnowledgeOwl?
KnowledgeOwl is a knowledge base software company helping over 400+ product and support teams deliver self-service customer documentation. The company's North Star verbatim from /about-us: "Great customer service is our North Star." KnowledgeOwl is customer-driven and customer-funded — verbatim from /knowledgeowl-for-good: "We're bootstrapped and customer-funded. We've no investors and no plans to grow fast and sell. KnowledgeOwl runs on its own profits, with no outside investment or interests. The only people we answer to are our customers (and the IRS)."
The company was founded inside SurveyGizmo (now Alchemer) in Boulder, Colorado in 2011 as a lean-startup project called HelpGizmo. Co-founders Marybeth (Knowledge Goddess & Chief Executive Owl) and Pete (Chief Technical Owl) bought the company from SurveyGizmo in 2015 and rebranded as KnowledgeOwl. Already profitable, they chose to remain bootstrapped and grow a sustainable business. The legal entity is Silly Moose, LLC (registered in Boulder, CO).
KnowledgeOwl is a Certified B Corporation and a Pledge 1% member. Verbatim community commitments: 1% of revenue donated to organisations like Rainforest Trust (regardless of profitability), 1% of profits donated to organisations of each employee's choosing, and a 25% discount for nonprofits, B Corps and purpose-driven orgs.
Where will I work?
KnowledgeOwl is fully remote. The team is distributed across the United States and Canada — per the /about-us team listing, members are based in Bay St. Louis MS, Midcoast Maine, Asheville NC, the Maritimes Canada, High Desert New Mexico, South Carolina, Iowa, and North Conway NH. The company's legal/mailing address is 4845 Pearl East Cir Ste 118 PMB 30558, Boulder, CO 80301-6112. Emergency line: +1 303-566-7131.
What is the KnowledgeOwl team like?
KnowledgeOwl describes itself as "a small team with a big heart" — "a people-first knowledge base software company from people who care, for people who care." The team listing on /about-us (the "Parliament") names every member with their location and "superpowers":
- Marybeth — Knowledge Goddess & Chief Executive Owl (Bay St. Louis, MS) — co-founder and CEO
- Pete — Chief Technical Owl (Bay St. Louis, MS) — co-founder, lead developer
- Kate — Documentation Goddess & Resident Cheesemonger (Midcoast Maine)
- OwlSec — Information Security Parliament
- Anne — Lead Support Owl & Breakfast Hoot-dini (Asheville, NC)
- Erica — Lead Customer Success Owl & Mixer of Colors (The Maritimes, Canada)
- Sue — Senior Developer Owl & Climber of Mountains (High desert, New Mexico)
- Veronica — Lead Customer Success Owl & Ice Cream Scholar (South Carolina)
- Chad — Executive Assistant to the CEO & Friend of Felines (Iowa)
- Zach — Developer Owl & Philosopher (North Conway, NH)
- Linus — Owlficial Mascot (the company cat)
The team has a 100% eNPS score. Verbatim from /knowledgeowl-for-good: "Our team and support is loved and trusted by over 400+ product and support teams."
Work-Life Balance
KnowledgeOwl supports a 25-hour workweek. Verbatim from /knowledgeowl-for-good: "We support the 25-hour workweek and embrace the creative spirit of our team. Erica Beyea works a 25-hour workweek, which allows her much more time to dedicate to her painting practice. In her story you can read how joining a people-first team helped her achieve true work-life balance."
Professional development is built into the work schedule — "Our team can bill up to 20% of their hours towards learning and professional development" — and salary growth is automatic: "we also offer an automatic annual cost of living increase to their salary." November-December is the company's designated volunteer season, with paid time provided through the "Give a Hoot in your Community" program. The founders are still part of the support team day-to-day.
Perks and Benefits
Verified benefits from /knowledgeowl-for-good:
- 25-hour workweek supported — embraced by leadership; named example is Erica Beyea (Lead Customer Success Owl) whose 25-hour week supports her painting practice
- Up to 20% of paid hours billable to learning & professional development
- Automatic annual cost-of-living salary increase for every team member
- Fully remote across US and Canada — team members in MS, NC, NM, NH, ME, IA, SC + Canada
- Paid volunteer time through the "Give a Hoot in your Community" program — November/December dedicated volunteer season
- Mission-driven culture — Certified B Corporation, Pledge 1% participant, 1% revenue + 1% profits committed each year
- Sponsorship of professional communities — Write the Docs (Boulder/Denver and conferences), The Not-Boring Tech Writer podcast (owned by KnowledgeOwl), Support Driven