Akerun
Akerun (Photosynth Inc.) provides a cloud-managed, retrofit IoT smart lock and entry/exit management system for Japanese commercial facilities — including offices, fitness gyms, coworking spaces, universities, and warehouses — supporting IC card, smartphone, and biometric authentication across 7,000+ deployments.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Akerun does
Akerun, operated by Photosynth Inc. (株式会社Photosynth), is a Japan-based provider of cloud-managed smart lock and entry/exit management systems for commercial facilities. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Minato-ku, Tokyo, the company reports over 7,000 cumulative business deployments as of May 2024 and positions itself as the No.1 smart lock for enterprise adoption in Japan per a Japan Marketing Research Organization (JMRO) study. Its customer base spans offices, fitness gyms, coworking spaces, universities, warehouses, retail, and rental studios across Japan, with named logos including Mitsui Fudosan, Takenaka Corporation, Nomura Real Estate, Money Forward, NTT Urban Development, NewsPicks, and Shibaura Institute of Technology.
The product portfolio centers on two hardware lines — Akerun Pro (for hinged/thumbturn doors, installed without construction via adhesive mounting and battery power) and Akerun Controller (for existing electric locks and automatic doors) — managed through the Akerun Connect cloud portal. Authentication supports IC cards (FeliCa, MIFARE Type-A), smartphone app, and biometric options via third-party integrations (NEC NeoFace Cloud, Toppan's Piccone). A REST API v3 (OAuth 2.0, TLS 1.2+, 50 req/min rate limit) exposes organizations, doors, users, keys, NFC cards, access logs, and remote lock/unlock operations. The company holds 7 patents related to its world-first retrofit smart lock architecture. Recent additions include the Akerun QR Reception System (November 2024), Akerun Digital ID (September 2024), and Apple Wallet employee ID support.
Revenue is generated through subscription-based contracts: devices are rented (not sold) and returned on contract termination, paired with monthly or annual cloud service fees based on door and user count, plus optional add-ons such as time card automation. Distribution combines direct enterprise field sales, a multi-tier partner program (introduction and resale partners targeting ICT/SI vendors), and self-service online inquiry and estimation tools. Marketing is anchored on content marketing, online seminars, a developer portal, and case-study-led demand generation, with a separate joint venture (MIWA Akerun Technologies, with Miwa Lock) addressing the residential smart lock market.
Akerun firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Akerun
- Legal name
- 株式会社Photosynth
- Website
- https://akerun.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Akerun (Photosynth Inc.) provides a cloud-managed, retrofit IoT smart lock and entry/exit management system for Japanese commercial facilities — including offices, fitness gyms, coworking spaces, universities, and warehouses — supporting IC card, smartphone, and biometric authentication across 7,000+ deployments.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Akerun industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cloud-Based Access Control Systems
- NAICS
- Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths) (561621)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Smart Lock Software Platforms & Mobile Apps (Access Control SaaS) (HSAHAEAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Smart Lock Installation, Retrofit & Door Hardware Services (HSAHAEAB), Access Control & Identity Systems Integration (Badge, Biometrics, Mobile) (BPAKAGAB), Integration Services (Smart Home Hubs, Voice Assistants, Alarm & Video) (HSAHAEAH)
Keywords
Where Akerun is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tokyo
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
Akerun business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Hardware Rental: Akerun Pro and Akerun Controller devices are provided on a rental basis rather than for purchase. Devices must be returned upon contract termination.
- Subscription Services: Cloud-based access management platform (Akerun Connect) provided as part of the service contract. Monthly or annual subscription billing based on number of doors and users.
- Optional Services: Optional time card auto-creation feature (タイムカード自動作成機能) for attendance management integration.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Custom quotation-based pricing |
| Subscription | Monthly | Optional time card feature |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Akerun product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Akerun provides a cloud-based enterprise entry/exit management system built around patented retrofit smart lock hardware (Akerun Pro for thumbturn doors, Akerun Controller for electric locks and automatic doors). The system supports IC card (FeliCa, MIFARE), smartphone, and biometric authentication, managed via the Akerun Connect web portal, with a 20+ integration API ecosystem for attendance, membership, and building systems.
Product overview
Akerun is a cloud-based entry/exit management system positioned as Japan's No.1 smart lock for enterprise adoption. The product portfolio consists of two core hardware lines — Akerun Pro (for hinged/thumbturn doors) and Akerun コントローラー (for electric locks and automatic doors) — both managed through the Akerun Connect web portal. The system supports IC card (FeliCa, MIFARE Type-A), smartphone app, and biometric authentication. An open API (v3) enables integrations with attendance management (KING OF TIME, ジョブカン), gym member systems (hacomono), and biometric systems (NEC NeoFace Cloud, ピッコネ®). Recent additions include Akerun QR受付システム (QR reception system, Nov 2024), Akerun デジタル身分証 (digital ID credentials, Sep 2024), and Apple Wallet employee ID support.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Akerun Pro: Smart lock for doors with thumbturn locks, enabling IC card and smartphone locking/unlocking without construction work
- Akerun Controller
- Akerun Connect
- Akerun QR Reception System
- Akerun Digital ID
Quantifiable outcome
- Conditioing Gym GOING extended hours from 9:00-19:00 to 9:00-23:00, enabling 365-day operations with reduced labor
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Akerun
Customer profileNamed customers13 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Akerun technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration8 records
AI capability2 records
Feature10 records
Akerun partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and strategic.
- Toppan Printing and Tribal (凸版印刷・トライバル)coreJoint development of face authentication access management solution 'Piccone' combining Akerun with Toppan's printing technology and Tribal's facial recognition capabilities.
- SoftBank WorkOffice+coreIntegration with SoftBank's WorkOffice+ enables meeting room reservation and smart lock control within the app, providing seamless access to meeting rooms with smart lock functionality.
- Apple WalletcoreAkerun access control system supports employee ID cards in Apple Wallet, enabling iPhone and Apple Watch-based building access.
- Jobcan (ジョブカン)coreIntegration with Jobcan attendance management system enables automatic time punch recording based on entry/exit logs, reducing attendance management work and eliminating punch errors for improved user experience and labor management efficiency.
- hacomonocoreFitness facility member management, reservation, and payment system integration enabling automated member registration to key issuance workflow for unmanned gym operations.
- KING OF TIMEcoreJoint campaign offering unlimited ID access to KING OF TIME attendance system free for one year when contracting Akerun simultaneously, streamlining employee attendance tracking.
- NEC NeoFace CloudcoreIntegration with NEC's cloud-based facial recognition service 'NeoFace Cloud Smart Lock Service' enables biometric access control without physical cards.
- MIWA Akerun Technologies (株式会社MIWA Akerun Technologies)strategicJoint venture with Miwa Lock (美和ロック) for residential smart lock services. Consumer/home-use smart lock services are provided through this separate entity.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves2 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Akerun competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Akuvox: Smart intercom and access control provider with cloud management and SIP/phone-system integrations. Comparable in converging door entry, intercom, and mobile-credential access for commercial and residential use.
- Igloohome: Singapore-based smart lock provider specializing in short-term rental and property management access. Comparable as an API- and mobile-credential-driven lock provider targeting operators of shared spaces.
Direct peers
- Kisi: Cloud-managed access control platform for offices and coworking spaces, with mobile and card credentials plus integrations to workplace software. Closest comparable in targeting flexible offices and coworking with software-first architecture.
- RemoteLock: Cloud-based smart lock and access-control SaaS platform serving short-term rentals, multifamily, and commercial properties. Directly comparable as a software-first smart lock platform targeting non-residential access control with broad hardware compatibility.
- Latch (now DOOR): Smart lock and access management platform for multifamily and commercial buildings, with cloud management and credentialing software. Comparable in operating-system positioning around the lock for non-residential deployments.
- Brivo: Cloud-native access control and physical security platform offering badge, mobile credential, and video integrations. Closely comparable in API-first GTM, mobile credentials, and integration ecosystem approach.
- Nuki: European smart lock company offering retrofit smart locks with smartphone and API control. Comparable in retrofit-first hardware philosophy and ecosystem/integration-driven GTM.
Broad incumbents
- ASSA ABLOY: World's largest lock manufacturer with extensive portfolio including smart lock brands (August Home, Yale) and access control systems (HID). Represents the dominant incumbent that Akerun ultimately competes with for enterprise access budgets.
- SALTO Systems: Established global electronic lock and access control manufacturer with cloud management (SALTO KS) and broad hardware portfolio. Comparable as a larger incumbent offering competing cloud-managed smart lock solutions across verticals.
Others
- Photosynth Group (MIWA Akerun Technologies): The joint venture between Photosynth and Miwa Lock targeting residential smart locks in Japan. Relevant as the consumer-market sibling that defines Akerun's perimeter and shares technology and brand.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Akerun social profiles
Digital presenceAkerun financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Akerun leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Akerun subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Akerun funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors5 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Akerun 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 Akerun
What does Akerun do?
Akerun provides a cloud-based enterprise entry/exit management system built around patented retrofit smart lock hardware (Akerun Pro for thumbturn doors, Akerun Controller for electric locks and automatic doors). The system supports IC card (FeliCa, MIFARE), smartphone, and biometric authentication, managed via the Akerun Connect web portal, with a 20+ integration API ecosystem for attendance, membership, and building systems.
Is Akerun a public or private company?
Akerun is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Akerun founded?
Akerun was founded in 2014. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Akerun based?
Akerun is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does Akerun make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Hardware Rental is the primary driver. The others are subscription Services and optional Services.
Who are Akerun's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Akuvox and Igloohome. Direct peers are Kisi, RemoteLock, Latch (now DOOR), Brivo and Nuki. Broad incumbents are ASSA ABLOY and SALTO Systems. Photosynth Group (MIWA Akerun Technologies) is listed as an others.
Does Akerun have an API?
Yes. Akerun API v3 provides REST endpoints for managing organizations, access histories, keys, IC cards, remote lock/unlock operations, and device settings. Uses OAuth 2.0 authentication with scopes for organization, user, key, access history, and lock management permissions. Supports HTTPS-only communication with TLS 1.2+. Rate limit of 50 requests/minute. API endpoints include: organizations, users, keys, IC cards (NFC), access logs, remote control (lock/unlock/state), door groups, user groups, and key groups. Developer documentation is at developers.akerun.com.
What industry is Akerun in?
Akerun's product category is Cloud-Based Access Control Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSAHAEAG, Smart Lock Software Platforms & Mobile Apps (Access Control SaaS), with a secondary code of HSAHAEAB, Smart Lock Installation, Retrofit & Door Hardware Services. Its NAICS code is 561621 and its SIC code is 7373.