Karri
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
Karri firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Karri
- Legal name
- Karri.io Ltd
- Website
- https://karri.io
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Karri industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Children's Communication Devices
- NAICS
- Telephone Apparatus Manufacturing (33421), All Other Telecommunications (517810)
- SIC
- Telephone & Telegraph Apparatus (3661), Computer Communications Equipment (3576), Retail-Radio, Tv & Consumer Electronics Stores (5731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Kids & Education Tablets (CRACAMAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Communications, Parent/Guardian Engagement & Notification Systems (EDAJAHAM), Consumer Messaging Apps (BPAMACAA), Communication & Family Engagement Platforms (Messaging, Portals, Translation) (EDAJAMAI)
Keywords
Where Karri is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Karri business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Hardware Sales: One-time purchase of Karri Messenger devices (Messenger 1 and Messenger 2). Hardware prices range from £59.99 to £89.99 depending on model. Multi-buy discounts available for multiple devices (up to 45% off for 5+ units).
- Subscription Memberships: Monthly or annual subscription required for device connectivity and app features. Three tiers: Basic (£5.99/month), Premium (£7.99/month), Premium+ (£8.99/month). Annual billing offers up to 50% savings. No minimum contract - cancellable anytime. Membership is per device.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Karri Messenger 1 (Classic) - £59.99 one-time device purchase |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Karri Messenger 2 - £89.99 one-time device purchase |
| Subscription | Monthly | Basic Membership - £5.99/month or £35.88/year |
| Subscription | Monthly | Premium Membership - £7.99/month or £47.88/year |
| Subscription | Monthly | Premium+ Membership - £8.99/month or £53.88/year |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
Karri product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Karri designs and sells screen-free voice messenger hardware devices (Karri Messenger 1 and Karri Messenger 2) for children aged 4-13, paired with an iOS/Android parental companion app. The devices enable push-to-talk voice messaging, GPS location tracking, geofencing, and SOS alerts, while the app allows parents to manage approved contacts, monitor location, and communicate with their child. A monthly/annual subscription membership is required to activate the device's cellular connectivity.
Product overview
Karri is a screen-free voice messenger system designed for children aged 4-13, consisting of physical messenger devices (Messenger 1 and Messenger 2), a parental companion app, and subscription-based membership plans. The core offering enables children to send voice messages to parents via physical button-push devices without screens or internet access, while parents manage contacts and track location through the iOS/Android app. Karri Messenger 2 is the second-generation flagship product with enhanced design featuring a dot display and built-in torch, while Messenger 1 is the original simpler model. All devices require a membership subscription (Basic, Premium, or Premium+) for connectivity and functionality. Accessories include protective cases and charging peripherals. The company is headquartered in London and Berlin, with founding investment in 2023 and product shipping beginning in October 2024.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Karri Messenger 2 Second-generation screen-free voice messenger device with GPS tracking for children aged 5-13. Features a smaller, sleeker design with subtle dot display for scrolling through approved contacts, built-in torch, accelerometer, and 99% global cellular network coverage. Connects via the dedicated Karri parental app with geo-fencing, SOS functionality, and Karri-to-Karri chat channels. Dimensions 93mm x 62mm x 15.5mm, weight 120g, up to 2 days standby battery, Bluetooth headphone compatible (coming soon). Available in Black-Blue, Black-Pink, and Black-Turquoise. Priced at £89.99.
- Karri Messenger 1 (Classic) Original screen-free voice messenger device designed as a smart walkie-talkie for children from age 4. Features a colourful halo light for chat indication, integrated SIM, adjustable volume, splash-proof IPx4 casing, built-in GPS, 5G/4G/3G/2G and WiFi connectivity, up to 3-day battery, weight 185g, USB-C charging, CE certified, drop resistant 1m. Priced at £59.99. Available in Charcoal, Turquoise, Purple, Speedster, and Fairytale colorways.
- Karri App (parental companion) Parental companion app for iOS and Android that manages Karri Messenger devices. Enables parents to set up private 1-2-1 or group chats, view real-time GPS location, create virtual safe zones (geofencing), receive instant SOS notifications, send voice notes, and exercise full administrative control over device contacts. Required for device setup and management.
- Karri Case (Jungle Green)
- Karri Case (Soft Violet) Protective case for the Karri Messenger in soft violet color, providing durable protection from bumps and scratches. Priced at £14.99 GBP with a 25% discount when purchased with a Messenger device.
- Charging Cable (USB to USB-C) USB to USB-C charging cable for Karri Messenger devices. Priced at £6.99 GBP with free returns and 24-month warranty.
- UK Charging Plug (USB) UK-compatible USB charging plug for Karri Messenger devices. Priced at £7.99 GBP.
Quantifiable outcome
- 99% population coverage
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Karri
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Karri technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
AI capability3 records
Feature5 records
Karri partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and strategic.
- PentagramcoreRenowned industrial design consultancy collaborated with Karri to develop Messenger 2. Jon Marshall and the Pentagram team brought research-driven approach to industrial design, creating a product that is fun for kids and reassuring for parents. Pentagram previously designed the award-winning Yoto Player.
- Jon MarshallcoreDistinguished industrial designer from Pentagram. Led design partnership for next-generation Karri Messenger 2, bringing expertise in child-friendly technology design.
- Smartphone Free ChildhoodstrategicGrassroots movement encouraging parents to delay smartphone use until at least age 14. Over 350,000 parents support the initiative. Karri positioned as the alternative families are seeking. Jennifer Powers (Regional Leader) interviewed about Karri as solution.
- EmnifycoreSIM card and IoT connectivity provider for Karri Messenger device. Provides global cellular connectivity enabling voice messaging and GPS tracking. No personal customer data (name, address, phone number) shared with Emnify - only device connectivity data.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Karri competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Xplora: Norwegian kids' smartwatch company offering GPS tracking, voice/call functionality, and a parental app for children typically aged 4-12. Closest direct peer — same target customer, same screen-aware-but-limited positioning, same parental-control ecosystem model.
- myFirst: Singapore-based maker of kids' smartwatches, phones, and headphones with parental controls. Competes in the same hardware category with a broader product portfolio including wearables that overlap Karri's GPS/voice use case.
- Pinwheel: US-based curated smartphone for kids with parental controls and a managed contact list. Targets the same parent concern (smartphone risks) but with a controlled smartphone form factor instead of Karri's screen-free device.
- Gabb Wireless: US-based kids' phone and smartwatch maker offering safe, parent-managed devices with no internet/social media. Direct overlap with Karri's value proposition of child-safe communication without smartphone risks.
- TickTalk: Kids' smartwatch offering voice calling, messaging, GPS, and parental controls for ages 3-12. Overlaps directly with Karri's primary use case of parent-child communication with location tracking.
- Bark Phone: Parental-control-focused smartphone for kids with monitoring, content filtering, and approved contacts. Addresses the same parental concern of safe communication but through a controlled smartphone rather than a screen-free device.
- Tinitell: Nordic-origin minimal phone for children with GPS tracking and voice calling — a screen-free wearable phone. Pioneered the screen-free kids' communication category that Karri is now positioned in.
- Garmin Bounce: Garmin's dedicated children's smartwatch with GPS tracking, messaging, and a parent companion app. Competes for the same parental peace-of-mind use case with stronger brand recognition but a wrist form factor rather than Karri's dedicated walkie-talkie device.
Broad incumbents
- Tonies: Frankfurt-listed screen-free audio player for kids with collectible character figurines. Targets the same 'smartphone alternative for kids' parent mindset; Karri angel investor Sven Vaders was a founding Tonies product leader.
- Yoto: UK-based screen-free audio player for children (also designed by Pentagram) with parental app. Targets a similar parent demographic prioritizing screen-free childhood, with a content/play use case rather than communication. Shares investor overlap and design DNA with Karri.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Karri social profiles
Digital presenceKarri compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Karri financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Karri leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Karri funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Karri 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 Karri
What does Karri do?
Karri designs and sells screen-free voice messenger hardware devices (Karri Messenger 1 and Karri Messenger 2) for children aged 4-13, paired with an iOS/Android parental companion app. The devices enable push-to-talk voice messaging, GPS location tracking, geofencing, and SOS alerts, while the app allows parents to manage approved contacts, monitor location, and communicate with their child. A monthly/annual subscription membership is required to activate the device's cellular connectivity.
Is Karri a public or private company?
Karri is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Karri founded?
Karri was founded in 2021. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Karri based?
Karri is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Karri make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are subscription Memberships.
Who are Karri's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Xplora, myFirst, Pinwheel, Gabb Wireless, TickTalk, Bark Phone, Tinitell and Garmin Bounce. Broad incumbents are Tonies and Yoto.
Does Karri have an API?
No public API is recorded for Karri.
What industry is Karri in?
Karri's product category is Children's Communication Devices. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRACAMAG, Kids & Education Tablets, with a secondary code of EDAJAHAM, Communications, Parent/Guardian Engagement & Notification Systems. Its NAICS code is 33421 and its SIC code is 3661.