Cordial

Cordial was founded in 2014 by Jeremy Swift, Adam Gillespie, Chris McGreal, and David Baker with a clear vision: to revolutionize how marketers connect with their customers. [5, 14] Before Cordial, Jeremy Swift, a graduate of Point Loma Nazarene University with a degree in Organizational Communication & Business Strategy, had already dipped his toes into the entrepreneurial world during college, co-founding a software company focused on e-communications. [1, 10] He was also a founding member of BlueHornet, a first-generation email marketing SaaS company, which he successfully sold in 2004. Adam Gillespie, a dedicated technologist, brought his experience as CTO of BlueHornet, where he played a key role through its acquisition. [1, 20] The idea for Cordial, initially sketched out on a cocktail napkin, was born from the belief that marketing could be more human and empathetic. [1, 14]

The founders saw a gap in the market for a platform that could truly empower marketers to deliver personalized, emotionally intelligent messages across various channels by simplifying data management and leveraging real-time data. [1, 12, 14] This desire to inspire more thoughtful communication and create more personal experiences became the driving force behind Cordial's development. From its headquarters in San Diego, California, Cordial embarked on its mission to build a next-generation messaging platform. [2, 8] The company's technology was designed to automate billions of data-driven messages across email, SMS, mobile app, social media, and more, helping brands drive scalable revenue growth and foster lasting customer connections. Over the years, Cordial has grown significantly, attracting notable clients like L.L.Bean, PacSun, REVOLVE, Realtor.com, and Forbes. [4, 14, 28] The company has been recognized for its rapid growth, appearing on the Deloitte Technology Fast 500™ list and Inc. 5000. [4, 38] Cordial's commitment to its employees and culture has also been acknowledged with awards for Best CEO, Best Company Culture, and Best Companies for Women. [11, 38] Today, Cordial continues to innovate, particularly in AI, to help brands send a better message and build stronger customer relationships. [4, 28, 33]