Slido Acquisition: Key Details, Impact, and What Comes Next

Cisco's acquisition of Slido marks a significant step in enhancing virtual meeting experiences. By integrating Slido's interactive tools into the Webex platform, Cisco aims to foster more engaging and inclusive meetings. This move underscores the growing importance of real-time audience interaction in the evolving landscape of remote work and virtual events.

What Is Slido?

Founded in 2012, Slido specializes in enhancing audience interaction during meetings and events. Its core products include live polls, Q&A sessions, quizzes, word clouds, and surveys. Slido stands out in the market with its ease of use, requiring no logins or downloads for participants, and its wide range of integrations with tools like PowerPoint, Webex, Google Slides, Teams, and Zoom. Additionally, Slido offers a free basic plan and supports anonymous participation to boost engagement.

Who Acquired Slido?

Cisco is a major player in the technology industry, specializing in software, networking, and cybersecurity solutions. The company offers key products such as the Cisco 8000 Series Routers, Cisco AI Defense, and Cisco Nexus Hyperfabric. Known for its innovative solutions, Cisco holds a significant influence in the market, particularly in accelerating AI adoption in enterprises. Its partnerships and recognition as the Industrial IoT Company of the Year 2025 further solidify its leadership position.

When Was Slido Acquired?

Cisco officially acquired Slido on May 2, 2021. This acquisition came at a time when the demand for virtual meeting tools was surging due to the global pandemic. The integration of Slido's interactive features into Cisco's Webex platform aimed to enhance user engagement and make virtual meetings more inclusive and effective. This move aligned with industry trends emphasizing the importance of real-time audience interaction and feedback in remote work environments.

Why Was Slido Acquired?

• Market Expansion: Cisco's acquisition of Slido represents a strategic move to broaden its market presence in the virtual meeting and event space. By integrating Slido's audience interaction tools into its Webex platform, Cisco can offer more comprehensive solutions for remote, hybrid, and virtual meetings. This expansion allows Cisco to attract a wider range of users seeking interactive and engaging virtual meeting experiences.
• Technology Integration: The integration of Slido's technology into Cisco's Webex platform is a significant enhancement. Slido's features, such as live polls, Q&A sessions, quizzes, and word clouds, will be seamlessly incorporated into Webex, providing real-time feedback and insights. This integration aims to make virtual meetings more inclusive and productive, avoiding the need for context switching and ensuring a smooth user experience.
• Competitive Advantage: By acquiring Slido, Cisco gains a competitive edge in the market for interactive meeting solutions. Slido's tools enhance Cisco's offerings, making Webex more engaging and interactive. This strategic move differentiates Webex from other virtual meeting platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams, positioning Cisco as a leader in providing robust and interactive communication solutions.

Acquisition Terms

• Acquisition Price: The acquisition price for Slido was not publicly disclosed.
• Payment Method: The payment method for the acquisition was not specified.
• Key Conditions or Agreements:
  • Slido will continue to operate as a standalone platform and support its existing customers.
  • The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and required regulatory approvals.
  • Slido will align with Cisco’s strict data policies, ensuring security and privacy for users.
  • There will be no immediate change for Slido customers, who will continue to access services and support as before.
  • Cisco plans to integrate Slido's features into Webex while maintaining support for other virtual meeting platforms like Teams, Zoom, and Google Meet.

Impact on Slido

The acquisition of Slido by Cisco has led to several operational and management changes. Slido now operates under Cisco Systems International B.V., but it continues to function as a standalone platform. This ensures that Slido's core team remains intact, focusing on enhancing their product offerings while integrating their interactive tools into Cisco's Webex platform. Despite the acquisition, Slido's commitment to data privacy and security remains a top priority, aligning with Cisco's stringent data policies.

In terms of product offerings, Slido's features such as live polls, Q&A sessions, and quizzes are now integrated into Webex, enhancing user engagement during virtual meetings. This integration aims to create more interactive and inclusive meeting experiences. Employee reactions have been mixed, with some expressing excitement about the potential for innovation, while others have raised concerns about management and company culture. Customer reactions have generally been positive, with many looking forward to the enhanced capabilities that Slido will bring to Webex. For founders considering business transitions, tools like Sunset can assist in managing such processes compliantly and efficiently.