Fishbowl Software Development

The platform's core offering is a mobile application that allows verified professionals to connect and communicate within industry-specific and company-specific communities, referred to as "bowls". A key feature is the flexible identity system, which lets users post with their full name and title, as just their job title, or by their company, providing a layer of anonymity that encourages open discussion on sensitive topics like salary negotiations, company culture, and career advice. To maintain the integrity of its communities, Fishbowl requires users to verify their employment. The service is free for all users.

Initially, Fishbowl focused on gaining traction in specific industries such as advertising, consulting, and accounting. By January 2020, the company had secured $7.5 million in total funding, with a Series A round led by GGV Capital, to fuel its expansion into new professional verticals. In September 2021, Fishbowl was acquired by Glassdoor's parent company, Recruit Holdings, in a move to integrate its community and conversation features with Glassdoor's workplace transparency offerings. At the time of the acquisition, the platform had over one million users. This integration aims to provide professionals with deeper insights by combining anonymous reviews with real-time, candid conversations.