About us
In 2008, Elbert, our founder, was attending SXSW when someone handed him a copy of Getting Things Done. He started reading it on the flight home, and by the time the plane landed he was convinced the ideas in the book could calm his monkey mind and make him more productive. He then set out to build the app he couldn't find.
That became Nirvana. We bootstrapped it. No business plan, no funding round. Just the fun of building and the quiet joy of helping people find some clarity in their overflowing to-do lists. Friends got involved. Then colleagues at work. Then people we'd never met who just wanted it to get better. The side project became the main thing. Sixteen years on, it still is.
SXSW. Inspiration hits on the flight home.
SXSW. Inspiration hits on the flight home.
Nirvana 1.0 goes live as a web app. One day before Elbert becomes a dad.
Nirvana 1.0 goes live as a web app. One day before Elbert becomes a dad.
A post on The Next Web brings 50,000 new accounts in a single weekend. We were not prepared.
A post on The Next Web brings 50,000 new accounts in a single weekend. We were not prepared.
Nirvana 2.0. A full rewrite to keep up with growth. Still in beta.
Nirvana 2.0. A full rewrite to keep up with growth. Still in beta.
Official launch! After years of footing the bill ourselves, Nirvana becomes a business with paying subscribers.
Official launch! After years of footing the bill ourselves, Nirvana becomes a business with paying subscribers.
First mobile apps.
First mobile apps.
Nirvana 3. Full redesign. Finally looking like a proper product.
Nirvana 3. Full redesign. Finally looking like a proper product.
First desktop apps.
First desktop apps.
I guess we're all working from home now.
I guess we're all working from home now.
No more office, we're fully remote! Hello Bali, Berlin, Buenos Aires, Lisbon, San Francisco, Singapore...
No more office, we're fully remote! Hello Bali, Berlin, Buenos Aires, Lisbon, San Francisco, Singapore...
International expansion, more languages and new themes.
International expansion, more languages and new themes.
Mac App Store. Microsoft Store.
Mac App Store. Microsoft Store.
Nirvana + AI.
Nirvana + AI.
Heartfelt gratitude to everyone who's helped make Nirvana what it is today. Thank you Alex, Allen, Andres, Cederic, Charles, Charlotte, Chrissie, Christopher, Clauderic, Daria, Dave, Elbert, Gaby, GW, Gustav, Ian, Jean, Jenna, Jon, Julie, Karan, Lance, Linh, Meeech, Michael, Olga, Proximo, Robin, Romina, Sergio, Yuliia, Ziad... and the thousands of users who've reached out with ideas, suggestions, kindness and encouragement. 🙏