Defying the Statistical Challenges, Female Entrepreneur Constructs Leading Content Management System Platform
Contentstack, a notable name in the burgeoning field of content management system (CMS) platforms, has made a significant impact on the market, predicted to reach a staggering $54 billion by 2032. The brainchild of CEO Neha Sampat, who founded the company in 2018, Contentstack's journey has been characterized by Sampat's tenacity in overcoming the hurdles typically faced by female entrepreneurs in the tech sector. One such challenge is the scarcity of venture capital funding, with only 2% of investments going to all-female led companies.
Sampat's leadership has been pivotal in Contentstack's metamorphosis from a basic app to a comprehensive platform, empowering businesses to handle the intricacies of digital transformation and deliver captivating customer experiences.
In late 2022, Sampat secured $169 million in funding, culminating in a Series C round.
A Female Tech Pioneer Crafts a Modern-Age CMS
Contentstack stemmed from Sampat's preceding venture, Raw Engineering, a digital consulting firm. Her experience with Raw Engineering allowed her a ringside view of the challenges faced by large and mid-sized digital first enterprises in the early 2000s, such as managing content on mobile devices and adapting to the ever-changing digital landscape.
“We noticed that brands were grappling with adopting new trends,” Sampat said. “So, we established a consultancy to aid them in modernizing their tech stack.”
Sampat identified a common issue: managing digital experiences on mobile devices. Initially, Contentstack was developed as a simple app to address this problem, but it swiftly morphed into a full-fledged CMS platform for omnichannel composable digital content.
"Investing in Contentstack at its inception was a no-brainer due to Neha’s vision and unwavering determination to revolutionize the way brands create immersive digital experiences for their customers, coupled with the enormous potential of the market," explained Cindy Padnos, founder and managing partner at Illuminate Ventures, who spearheaded the seed round in Contentstack. "As an early entrepreneur, she demonstrated an exceptional capacity to learn, seek feedback, and evolve—traits that set her apart and contributed to her emergence as a far-sighted, resilient leader. Neha's receptiveness to collaboration with peers and mentors and her unyielding commitment to addressing meaningful challenges have been instrumental to Contentstack’s success."
Contentstack's primary clientele consists of complex organizations requiring a robust CMS to manage their digital experiences across multiple channels. Sampat's proficiency in the technology sphere makes her an ideal fit to lead Contentstack.
A CMS for Engaging Digital Customer Experiences
Since its inception, Contentstack has experienced significant growth and transformation to keep pace with the evolving digital landscape. Some of the significant ways it has evolved include:
- Expansion of functionalities: Contentstack has incorporated a wide range of features and functionalities into its platform, such as composable architecture, enabling businesses to choose the most suitable technologies to meet their specific needs.
- Focus on digital transformation: Contentstack has become a key player in orchestrating digital transformation journeys for businesses by providing them with the tools and capabilities to modernize their tech stacks and deliver engaging digital experiences.
- Expansion in customer base: Contentstack has attracted a substantial number of large, complex organizations in need of a scalable and dependable CMS.
"Contentstack caters to a critical market need with a culture of innovation, collaboration, and empathy,” explains Emily Walsh, lead investor at Georgian, who led Contentstack’s Series B round and serves as a board member. “The team's ability to predict the future of digital experiences and supply solutions tailored to the evolving requirements of enterprises is a significant factor in our investment."
Navigating Venture Capital: A Female Founder's Journey in the CMS Realm
Like all founders, Sampat has encountered numerous hurdles on her entrepreneurial journey. Despite these challenges, she has created a successful company that has reshaped how businesses manage their digital content. Sampat's tale serves as motivation to aspiring entrepreneurs, illuminating the power of perseverance and determination to surmount even the most formidable barriers.
One of Sampat's most significant challenges was the scarcity of capital. “There’s a disparity between those who have access to capital and those who don’t,” Sampat said.
Securing venture capital is a common challenge for female entrepreneurs, who frequently struggle to attract funds from traditional sources like venture capitalists. In 2025, only 2% of venture capital investments went to firms solely led by women.
Sampat initially relied on self-financing and generating revenue, but to build the required complex platform, she needed to raise capital. Obtaining funds from friends and family is a common path for technology founders, but Sampat's circle lacked the financial means to invest. Though she holds an MBA, she had no education in securing funding. Furthermore, Sampat faced skepticism from investors who doubted her ability to lead a product company, despite Contentstack's revenue history.
Springboard's Agile Learner Methodology Shapes Entrepreneurial Leaders
Sampat attributes Springboard Enterprises, an accelerator program for women-led businesses, to assisting her in overcoming these obstacles. “I’ve always thought about finding the right partner, which is a lot like dating,” Sampat said.
Springboard offered Sampat mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to capital. It fosters agile learning through immersive, challenging experiences, encouraging adaptability and the honing of problem-solving and innovation skills. Studies by the Korn Ferry Institute revealed that Springboard entrepreneurs possess agile learning skills that set them apart from successful corporate executives.
Amy Millman, who was the president of Springboard at the time, significantly influenced Sampat. She suggested that Sampat should cease attempting to expand numerous businesses concurrently and instead concentrate on Contentstack. Millman, managing partner at StageNext and entrepreneur in residence at Georgetown Entrepreneurship Initiative, commented, "Leaders and CEOs would all gain from learning from Neha Sampat's exceptional innovator's approach." She added, "When Sampat found herself at a crossroads, needing to decide between two paths for her businesses, she chose the less frequented one. And it's clear that this choice has led to remarkable outcomes."
Sampat's eagerness to learn, adaptability, and eagerness to seek assistance have been instrumental in her achievements. She also underlines the relevance of working with investors who share her beliefs.
In 2024, Sampat was recognized as Springboard's 'Entrepreneur of the Year.'
How does one acquire backing?
Sampat faced challenges in securing venture capital due to the scarcity of funding for all-female led companies, with only 2% of investments going to such firms in 2025. She initially relied on self-financing and generating revenue, but needed funds to build a complex platform. Despite her MBA and revenue history, she faced skepticism from investors who doubted her ability to lead a product company. However, participation in Springboard's accelerator program for women-led businesses provided mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to capital, helping her overcome these obstacles.
