David Bridges
Snap Inc. has successfully completed the acquisition of Saturn, an innovative calendar application designed specifically for high school and college students. While the financial details regarding this acquisition remain undisclosed, it has been confirmed that approximately 30 full-time employees from Saturn will be joining the Snap team as part of this transition. This integration signifies Snap’s commitment to enhancing its offerings and expanding its user base.
Although the specific plans Snap has for Saturn are yet to be unveiled, the company has assured Engadget that the calendar app will continue to function as an independent service. Furthermore, Snap hinted that this acquisition could facilitate the introduction of calendar-centric features within Snapchat, potentially enhancing user engagement and interaction across their platforms.
At first glance, the acquisition of a calendar application may appear unconventional for Snap; however, there is a significant overlap between the user demographics of both platforms. According to Snap, nearly 80 percent of high school students in the United States attend institutions that utilize Saturn, which is available at over 17,000 high schools. Additionally, more than half of U.S. teenagers are active users of Snap, indicating a strong potential for user integration.
Saturn distinguishes itself from typical calendar applications through its social features and design that resonate with younger audiences. Its aesthetic, reminiscent of Snapchat, allows students to effortlessly share and compare their schedules with peers. The app also caters to the unique needs of high school students by providing functionalities for block schedules, rotation calendars, and extracurricular activities. While Saturn also includes features tailored for college students, it appears to be less popular among that demographic.
The innovative startup was co-founded by Dylan Diamond (CEO) and Max Baron (COO), and has garnered financial support from prominent investors, including Marc Benioff, CEO of Salesforce, Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber, and Jeff Bezos‘ Bezos Expeditions. According to Forbes, the startup had successfully raised $44 million in funding by 2021, showcasing its potential and the trust investors have in its vision.
On September 12, 2024, Jim Lanzone, the CEO of Yahoo, which is the parent company of Engadget, was appointed to the board of directors at Snap. It is important to note that the editorial team at Engadget operates independently and maintains editorial integrity without external influences over its coverage of this acquisition.
Daniel Mercer
Ethan Carter
