Kiara
Kiara Inc. builds Kiara Translator, an AI-powered real-time translation app for Slack that supports 100+ languages, serving 2,000+ enterprise teams and individual workspaces facing multilingual workplace communication challenges.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersShibuya, Japan
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Kiara does
Kiara Inc. (formerly Jenio Inc.) is a Tokyo-headquartered AI software company that builds Kiara Translator, a real-time multilingual translation SaaS delivered as a native Slack app and supporting 100+ languages. The product automates translation of messages inside Slack channels to remove language friction in cross-border workplace communication, serving enterprise teams with multilingual workforces; stated customers include Softbank, DeNA, Recruit Holdings, Fujitsu, Fuji Xerox, LINE, Weathernews, and MIT, with the company claiming 2,000+ organizations served and a 95% repeating-customer rate.
Underlying technology is machine-learning NLP for translation, paired with deep Slack integration (ranked #2 globally in the Slack App Directory translation category) and a 14-day freemium trial. Beyond the translator, Kiara operates the Team AI community platform — a network of 10,000+ machine-learning engineers used for talent sourcing and collaborative research — and, since September 2021, a DX Services line offering AI/app development consulting, digital-transformation advisory, and CXO rental. The business model combines SaaS subscription (translator), professional services (DX consulting), and managed services (rental COO/CXO). Distribution is hybrid: product-led growth via Slack App Store and freemium, an enterprise field-sales motion in Tokyo, and community-led demand generation through Team AI events and content. Kiara is privately held, founder-led by CEO Daisuke Ishii, and has raised approximately 133 million JPY (~$1.2M USD) across six disclosed funding rounds between 2017 and 2020.
Kiara firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Kiara
- Legal name
- Kiara Inc. (株式会社キアラ)
- Website
- https://kiara.team
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Kiara Inc. builds Kiara Translator, an AI-powered real-time translation app for Slack that supports 100+ languages, serving 2,000+ enterprise teams and individual workspaces facing multilingual workplace communication challenges.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Kiara industry classification
Industry- Product category
- AI Translation Software
- NAICS
- Translation and Interpretation Services (541930), Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Software Publishers (5132)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Communications Services, Nec (4899)
- akta.pro primary industry
- AI-Powered Language Tutors, Chatbots & Speaking Practice Tools (EDAFAOAC)
Keywords
Where Kiara is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Shibuya
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
Kiara business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- SaaS Subscription - Kiara Translator: Subscription-based software as a service providing AI translation capabilities for teams. Clients include Softbank, DeNA, Recruit Holdings, Fujitsu, Fuji Xerox, LINE and 150+ other companies.
- AI/Web Development Consulting Services: Digitalization consulting, DX new business development (AI, apps), management improvement, and technical partner services. One-stop contractor for development, management improvement, and advanced technology.
- CXO Rental Service: Rental COO service providing executive leadership for sales strategy and operations improvement
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Monthly | Free trial available for 14 days |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Sales Manager position |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Finance Research position |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Kiara product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Kiara Inc. develops and sells Kiara Translator, a SaaS machine translation application that operates as a native Slack app and provides real-time translation across 100+ languages for workplace and team communication. The company also sells DX (digital transformation) services including AI and app development consulting, management improvement, and CXO rental for enterprise clients, while operating the Team AI community platform.
Product overview
Kiara Inc. operates as an AI software company offering two main product lines: (1) Kiara Translator, a multilingual real-time translation SaaS that works as a native Slack app, powered by machine learning NLP across 100 languages for workplace and finance communication; and (2) DX Services encompassing AI consulting, app development, and CXO rental. The company also maintains Team AI, a community network of 10,000+ machine learning engineers used for collaborative projects and talent sourcing. The portfolio spans from core translation productivity tools to full-service technology partnership offerings.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Kiara Translator AI-powered multilingual real-time translation SaaS application operating as a native Slack app. Supports 100+ languages for workplace and finance team communication, enabling seamless cross-language collaboration without leaving Slack.
- DX Services (AI & App Development) One-stop consulting, AI and application development, digital transformation (DX), management improvement, and CXO rental services for enterprise clients. Positions Kiara as a technical partner rather than a software vendor alone.
Quantifiable outcome
- 2,000+ organizations powered with 95% repeating customer rate
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Kiara
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Kiara technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
AI capability2 records
Feature3 records
Kiara partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- SlackcoreKiara Translator launched in Slack App Store in August 2019. Joined Slack global conference in San Francisco. Available as integration in Slack workspace for team translation.
- KagglecoreData analysis competition platform acquired by Google. Used for hosting data hackathons and AI research community activities.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Kiara competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Kiara social profiles
Digital presenceKiara financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Kiara leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Kiara funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Kiara 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 Kiara
What does Kiara do?
Kiara Inc. develops and sells Kiara Translator, a SaaS machine translation application that operates as a native Slack app and provides real-time translation across 100+ languages for workplace and team communication. The company also sells DX (digital transformation) services including AI and app development consulting, management improvement, and CXO rental for enterprise clients, while operating the Team AI community platform.
Is Kiara a public or private company?
Kiara is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Kiara founded?
Kiara was founded in 2014. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Kiara based?
Kiara is headquartered in Shibuya, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does Kiara make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. SaaS Subscription - Kiara Translator is the primary driver. The others are AI/Web Development Consulting Services and CXO Rental Service.
Does Kiara have an API?
No public API is recorded for Kiara.
What industry is Kiara in?
Kiara's product category is AI Translation Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAFAOAC, AI-Powered Language Tutors, Chatbots & Speaking Practice Tools. Its NAICS code is 541930 and its SIC code is 7371.