Aira
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersLa Jolla, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingSoftware
Aira firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Aira
- Legal name
- Aira Tech Corp
- Website
- https://aira.io
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Aira industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Video Remote Interpreting
- NAICS
- Translation and Interpretation Services (541930)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Assistive Hearing & Communication Access (Captioning, Hearing Support, Transcription) (EDAFAKAC)
Keywords
Where Aira is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- La Jolla
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Aira business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Personal Subscriptions: Monthly subscription plans (Silver, Gold, Platinum tiers) providing allocated minutes for visual interpreting services. Plans range from 20 to 880 minutes per month with tiered pricing. Higher tiers include family sharing features.
- Purchased/Add-on Minutes: Additional minute bundles purchased at per-minute rates. Bundles of 25, 50, and 100 minutes available at discounted 'offset' pricing.
- Gift Cards: Prepaid gift cards in denominations of $30, $50, $100, and $250 USD that can be applied toward subscriptions or add-on minutes.
- Access Partner Subscriptions: Organizations (retailers, banks, transit authorities, government agencies) pay for enterprise Access Partner subscriptions to provide free Aira service to employees, customers, or students as an accessibility accommodation.
- Free Access Partner Locations: Free service availability at Access Partner physical locations. Revenue comes from partner subscriptions, not end-user payments.
- Sponsored Minutes (Intuit QuickBooks): Intuit QuickBooks sponsors free business-related Aira calls for small business owners, providing up to 150 free minutes monthly. Aira receives sponsorship payments.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Silver 1-star: 20 minutes/month |
| Subscription | Monthly | Silver 2-star: 35 minutes/month, shareable with 1 member |
| Subscription | Monthly | Silver 3-star: 55 minutes/month, shareable with 1 member |
| Subscription | Monthly | Gold 1-star: 90 minutes/month, shareable with 3 members |
| Subscription | Monthly | Gold 2-star: 125 minutes/month, shareable with 3 members |
| Subscription | Monthly | Gold 3-star: 245 minutes/month, shareable with 3 members |
| Subscription | Monthly | Platinum 1-star: 330 minutes/month, shareable with 5 members |
| Subscription | Monthly | Platinum 2-star: 550 minutes/month, shareable with 5 members |
| Subscription | Monthly | Platinum 3-star: 880 minutes/month, shareable with 5 members |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | 25 Minutes Bundle |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | 50 Minutes Bundle |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | 100 Minutes Bundle |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Gift Cards |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free Access Partner Locations |
| Freemium | Monthly | Access AI Feature |
| Freemium | Monthly | Intuit Small Business Offer (Sponsored) |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Job Seeker Offer |
| Freemium | One time/ perpetual license | Welcome Offer |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels8 records
Marketing channels11 records
Aira product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Aira operates a video remote interpreting platform delivered through two consumer mobile apps—Aira Explorer for blind and low-vision users and Aira ASL for Deaf and hard-of-hearing users—connecting individuals on-demand via smartphone to professional human visual interpreters and ASL interpreters. The platform adds AI-generated image descriptions through Access AI and the AI Visual Interpreter powered by Google Project Astra, plus hands-free access through Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses. Aira also sells Access Partner subscriptions to enterprises, government agencies, transit systems, and educational institutions so they can provide the service free to their employees, customers, or students.
Product overview
Aira is a dual-app video remote interpreting platform providing accessibility services for two distinct communities. The core platform consists of Aira Explorer App (for blind and low-vision users) and Aira ASL App (for Deaf and hard-of-hearing users), both connecting users to professional interpreters via real-time video. The platform also integrates AI capabilities through Access AI (generative AI image descriptions) and the Aira AI Visual Interpreter powered by Google Project Astra (currently in beta testing). Aira Meta AI Glasses integration enables hands-free access via Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses. The service is offered through Access Partner locations (free) and personal subscription plans (Silver, Gold, Platinum tiers).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Aira Explorer: Mobile app providing on-demand visual interpreting for the blind and low-vision community
- Aira ASL
- Aira AI Visual Interpreter
- Access AI
- Aira Verify
Products and services
- Aira Explorer App Mobile app connecting blind and low-vision users to professional visual interpreters via real-time video calls for on-demand visual interpreting; usable free at Access Partner locations and via paid subscription for personal use.
- Aira ASL App Mobile app providing on-demand American Sign Language interpreting to Deaf and hard-of-hearing users via live video with optional real-time captioning; available free at select Access Partner locations in North America.
- Aira Meta AI Glasses Integration Hands-free access to Aira's professional visual interpreting service through Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses using Meta's Wearables Device Access Toolkit and Qualcomm silicon.
- Access AI AI-powered image chat providing instant generative AI descriptions of photos users take or upload, with Aira Verify human verification, chat history, verbosity controls, and multi-photo upload.
- Aira AI Visual Interpreter (powered by Google Project Astra) AI Visual Interpreter powered by Google Project Astra that enables real-time conversational AI capable of describing surroundings, reading text, and recognizing objects for blind and low-vision users.
- Aira Personal Subscriptions (Silver / Gold / Platinum) Monthly subscription plans in Silver, Gold, and Platinum tiers providing allocated minutes for Aira visual interpreting beyond Access Partner locations, with family sharing on higher tiers and localized USD/GBP/AUD/NZD pricing.
- Aira Access Partner Network Partnership program that lets organizations (retailers, transit systems, government agencies, employers, museums) subscribe to Aira so they can offer free visual interpreting or ASL interpreting to their customers, employees, or students at physical locations and digital spaces.
- Aira Gift Cards Prepaid gift cards in $30, $50, $100, or $250 USD denominations that can be applied toward Aira personal subscriptions or add-on minute bundles for blind, low-vision, Deaf, and hard-of-hearing recipients.
Quantifiable outcome
- Service available at hundreds of leading global organizations
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Aira
Customer profileNamed customers16 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Aira technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
AI capability8 records
Feature8 records
Aira partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Manitoba MuseumcoreMuseum offering Aira Explorer visual interpretation service free of charge to blind and low-vision visitors since January 15, 2026.
- EnvisioncoreStrategic partnership to enhance Envision Glasses for people who are blind or have low vision. Aira integrates with Envision Glasses to provide visual interpreting services through the wearable device.
- Intuit (QuickBooks)coreIntuit QuickBooks sponsors free Aira calls for small business owners, freelancers, and independent contractors. Provides up to 150 free minutes monthly for business-related tasks as part of QuickBooks accessibility initiatives.
- TD BankcoreAira available at all US TD Bank and TD ATM locations from Maine to Florida, and on td.com. Customers can engage Aira Agent to assist with banking on td.com.
- Google (Project Astra)coreAira and Google are partnering to bring new AI capabilities to blind and low-vision users through Aira's AI Visual Interpreter powered by Project Astra. This partnership enables real-time conversational AI that can describe surroundings, read text, and recognize objects for Aira users.
- MetacoreAira is built on Meta's Wearables Device Access Toolkit, enabling hands-free visual interpreting through Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses. This integration allows Aira users to access professional visual interpreters hands-free using Meta AI glasses.
- Carnegie Mellon UniversityminorThree-year research partnership exploring EMG-powered neural band technology for people with spinal cord injuries. This is Meta's partnership with Carnegie Mellon that mentions Aira as a third-party app built on Meta's toolkit.
- WalmartcoreMajor retail Access Partner providing free Aira service nationwide to blind and low-vision customers and employees. Service launched nationally after successful pilot in Florida, Texas, and California.
- TargetcoreRetail Access Partner offering free Aira service at store locations to enhance accessibility for blind and low-vision customers.
- StarbuckscoreAll US Starbucks company locations provide free Aira service to blind and low-vision customers. Aira launched in all US Starbucks stores as part of accessibility initiative led by former Starbucks accessibility team member.
- AmazoncoreTechnology company Access Partner offering free Aira use to employees. Also offers free Aira access to customers.
- GooglecoreTechnology company Access Partner offering free Aira use to employees.
- Chase BankcoreFinancial services Access Partner offering free Aira service at bank locations.
- WegmanscoreGrocery retailer Access Partner offering Aira ASL interpreting at every location for Deaf and hard-of-hearing customers.
- State of ColoradocoreColorado state parks and government buildings offer free Aira app to help blind visitors navigate. Expanded to state Capitol building.
- TriMetcorePortland transit authority piloting on-demand visual interpreting service for blind and low-vision transit users.
- Pittsburgh Regional TransitcoreDeaf and hard-of-hearing riders can connect instantly to ASL interpreters via Aira ASL app.
- GuccicoreLuxury retailer partnership to improve in-store accessibility for disabled consumers as a potential blueprint for the industry.
- Kiewit LuminariumcoreScience museum offering Aira ASL to support members of the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
- Portland Sea DogsminorMinor League Baseball team (Double-A affiliate of Red Sox) - first MiLB stadium to offer Aira visual interpreting for low-vision fans at Hadlock Field.
- Bank of AmericacoreFinancial services Access Partner offering free Aira use to customers at bank locations.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Aira competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Be My Eyes: Direct competitor offering free, on-demand visual interpreting for blind and low-vision users via live video, with growing AI features (including GPT-4 and proprietary AI). Overlaps Aira's core Explorer use case, target user, and delivery mechanism.
- Envision: Direct competitor in AI-powered visual assistance for blind/low-vision users, with both a smartphone app and the Envision Glasses wearable. Already integrated as an Aira distribution partner, indicating product overlap in OCR, scene description, and object recognition.
- Sorenson Communications: Direct competitor in video relay and interpreting services for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community. Overlaps Aira ASL on VRS/interpreting delivery, target user, and video-first model.
- Convo: Direct competitor in on-demand ASL video interpreting and relay services for Deaf/hard-of-hearing users. Comparable video-remote-interpreting delivery, customer segments (including enterprise), and pricing structure.
- Purple Communications: Direct competitor providing VRS, ASL interpreting, and accessibility communication services for Deaf/hard-of-hearing users via video. Overlaps Aira ASL's core interpreting service and target population.
- ZP Better Together (formerly ZVRS): Direct competitor in video relay service and ASL interpreting for the Deaf community. Comparable video-first delivery model and regulated telecommunications carrier overlap with Aira ASL.
Broad incumbents
- OrCam: Broader incumbent in AI wearables for blind/low-vision users (OrCam MyEye device). Overlaps Aira on visual assistance for the same target population but operates via dedicated hardware rather than a smartphone-based interpreter network.
- Apple (Accessibility): Broader incumbent whose iOS accessibility features (VoiceOver, Magnifier, Visual Look Up, Live Caption) increasingly compete with Aira's AI image-description functionality at zero cost. Operates across a much wider portfolio but with overlapping visual-assistance use cases.
- Google (Accessibility): Broader incumbent whose Lookout, Live Caption/Live Transcribe, and Project Astra initiatives overlap with Aira's visual and hearing-accessibility features. Google is simultaneously a strategic partner to Aira and a potential disintermediator via embedded OS features.
Emerging players
- SignAll: Emerging player focused on automated ASL recognition and translation. Adjacent to Aira ASL's human-interpreter model — partial overlap in solving Deaf/hearing communication, but with a different (automated) technology approach.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Aira social profiles
Digital presenceAira compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Aira financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Aira leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Aira funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds6 records
Investors8 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Aira M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Aira
What does Aira do?
Aira operates a video remote interpreting platform delivered through two consumer mobile apps—Aira Explorer for blind and low-vision users and Aira ASL for Deaf and hard-of-hearing users—connecting individuals on-demand via smartphone to professional human visual interpreters and ASL interpreters. The platform adds AI-generated image descriptions through Access AI and the AI Visual Interpreter powered by Google Project Astra, plus hands-free access through Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses. Aira also sells Access Partner subscriptions to enterprises, government agencies, transit systems, and educational institutions so they can provide the service free to their employees, customers, or students.
Is Aira a public or private company?
Aira is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Aira founded?
Aira was founded in 2014. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Aira based?
Aira is headquartered in La Jolla, United States, in the North America region.
How does Aira make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Personal Subscriptions are the primary driver. The others are purchased/Add-on Minutes, gift Cards, access Partner Subscriptions, free Access Partner Locations and sponsored Minutes (Intuit QuickBooks).
Who are Aira's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Be My Eyes, Envision, Sorenson Communications, Convo, Purple Communications and ZP Better Together (formerly ZVRS). Broad incumbents are OrCam, Apple (Accessibility) and Google (Accessibility). SignAll is listed as an emerging player.
Does Aira have an API?
No public API is recorded for Aira.
What industry is Aira in?
Aira's product category is Video Remote Interpreting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAFAKAC, Assistive Hearing & Communication Access (Captioning, Hearing Support, Transcription). Its NAICS code is 541930.