diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 4a43bca2..921d7646 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ assumptions about the shape of your data or the type of request.
 - Automatic re-run using `watch` prop
 - Accepts `onResolve` and `onReject` callbacks
 - Supports optimistic updates using `setData`
+- Supports server-side rendering through `initialValue`
 
 > Versions 1.x and 2.x of `react-async` on npm are from a different project abandoned years ago. The original author was
 > kind enough to transfer ownership so the `react-async` package name could be repurposed. The first version of
@@ -119,9 +120,10 @@ Similarly, this allows you to set default `onResolve` and `onReject` callbacks.
 
 `<Async>` takes the following properties:
 
-- `promiseFn` {() => Promise} A function that returns a promise; invoked immediately in `componentDidMount` and receives props (object) as arguments
+- `promiseFn` {() => Promise} A function that returns a promise; invoked immediately in `componentDidMount` and receives props (object) as argument
 - `deferFn` {() => Promise} A function that returns a promise; invoked only by calling `run`, with arguments being passed through
 - `watch` {any} Watches this property through `componentDidUpdate` and re-runs the `promiseFn` when the value changes (`oldValue !== newValue`)
+- `initialValue` {any} initial state for `data` or `error` (if instance of Error); useful for server-side rendering
 - `onResolve` {Function} Callback function invoked when a promise resolves, receives data as argument
 - `onReject` {Function} Callback function invoked when a promise rejects, receives error as argument
 
@@ -131,6 +133,7 @@ Similarly, this allows you to set default `onResolve` and `onReject` callbacks.
 
 - `data` {any} last resolved promise value, maintained when new error arrives
 - `error` {Error} rejected promise reason, cleared when new data arrives
+- `initialValue` {any} the data or error that was provided through the `initialValue` prop
 - `isLoading` {boolean} `true` while a promise is pending
 - `startedAt` {Date} when the current/last promise was started
 - `finishedAt` {Date} when the last promise was resolved or rejected
@@ -201,6 +204,36 @@ const updateAttendance = attend => fetch(...).then(() => attend, () => !attend)
 </Async>
 ```
 
+### Server-side rendering using `initialValue` (e.g. Next.js)
+
+```js
+static async getInitialProps() {
+  // Resolve the promise server-side
+  const sessions = await loadSessions()
+  return { sessions }
+}
+
+render() {
+  const { sessions } = this.props // injected by getInitialProps
+  return (
+    <Async promiseFn={loadSessions} initialValue={sessions}>
+      {({ data, error, isLoading, initialValue }) => { // initialValue is passed along for convenience
+        if (isLoading) {
+          return <div>Loading...</div>
+        }
+        if (error) {
+          return <p>{error.toString()}</p>
+        }
+        if (data) {
+          return <pre>{JSON.stringify(data, null, 2)}</pre>
+        }
+        return null
+      }}
+    </Async>
+  )
+}
+```
+
 ## Helper components
 
 `<Async>` provides several helper components that make your JSX even more declarative.
diff --git a/src/index.js b/src/index.js
index 243c1a64..7c743ad3 100644
--- a/src/index.js
+++ b/src/index.js
@@ -12,15 +12,22 @@ export const createInstance = (defaultProps = {}) => {
   class Async extends React.Component {
     constructor(props) {
       super(props)
+
+      const promiseFn = props.promiseFn || defaultProps.promiseFn
+      const initialValue = props.initialValue || defaultProps.initialValue
+      const initialError = initialValue instanceof Error ? initialValue : undefined
+      const initialData = initialError ? undefined : initialValue
+
       this.mounted = false
       this.counter = 0
       this.args = []
       this.state = {
-        data: undefined,
-        error: undefined,
-        isLoading: isFunction(props.promiseFn) || isFunction(defaultProps.promiseFn),
+        initialValue,
+        data: initialData,
+        error: initialError,
+        isLoading: !initialValue && isFunction(promiseFn),
         startedAt: undefined,
-        finishedAt: undefined,
+        finishedAt: initialValue ? new Date() : undefined,
         cancel: this.cancel,
         run: this.run,
         reload: () => {
@@ -34,7 +41,7 @@ export const createInstance = (defaultProps = {}) => {
 
     componentDidMount() {
       this.mounted = true
-      this.load()
+      this.state.initialValue || this.load()
     }
 
     componentDidUpdate(prevProps) {
diff --git a/src/spec.js b/src/spec.js
index 65dd3707..8bd1aa69 100644
--- a/src/spec.js
+++ b/src/spec.js
@@ -205,6 +205,48 @@ test("cancels pending promise when unmounted", async () => {
   expect(onResolve).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
 })
 
+test("does not run promiseFn on mount when initialValue is provided", () => {
+  const promiseFn = jest.fn().mockReturnValue(Promise.resolve())
+  render(<Async promiseFn={promiseFn} initialValue={{}} />)
+  expect(promiseFn).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+})
+
+test("does not start loading when using initialValue", async () => {
+  const promiseFn = () => resolveTo("done")
+  const states = []
+  const { getByText } = render(
+    <Async promiseFn={promiseFn} initialValue="done">
+      {({ data, isLoading }) => {
+        states.push(isLoading)
+        return data
+      }}
+    </Async>
+  )
+  await waitForElement(() => getByText("done"))
+  expect(states).toEqual([false])
+})
+
+test("passes initialValue to children immediately", async () => {
+  const promiseFn = () => resolveTo("done")
+  const { getByText } = render(
+    <Async promiseFn={promiseFn} initialValue="done">
+      {({ data }) => data}
+    </Async>
+  )
+  await waitForElement(() => getByText("done"))
+})
+
+test("sets error instead of data when initialValue is an Error object", async () => {
+  const promiseFn = () => resolveTo("done")
+  const error = new Error("oops")
+  const { getByText } = render(
+    <Async promiseFn={promiseFn} initialValue={error}>
+      {({ error }) => error.message}
+    </Async>
+  )
+  await waitForElement(() => getByText("oops"))
+})
+
 test("can be nested", async () => {
   const outerFn = () => resolveIn(0)("outer")
   const innerFn = () => resolveIn(100)("inner")