Saya University

What Saya University does

Saya University is a Japan-focused security awareness SaaS subsidiary of US-based holding company KV Equity Partners, Inc. Founded in June 2019 and headquartered in Gilbert, Arizona with a Los Angeles contact address and Tokyo operations hub, the company delivers anime-style micro-learning cybersecurity awareness training originally produced in Japanese (rather than translated), with 3-5 minute modules designed around Japanese workplace culture and communication norms. Its unified platform comprises three sub-products: SAYA Training (cybersecurity fundamentals through advanced attack techniques), SAYA Phishing (phishing and social-engineering simulations covering MFA fatigue, QR phishing, deepfake impersonation, supplier fraud, and BEC), and SAYA Admin (organizational learning-progress dashboards, quiz management, and learning-plan administration), all delivered through what the company describes as the world's largest Japanese-language cybersecurity awareness content library.

The company monetizes through per-seat subscription licensing starting at $1 per user per month, sold via a hybrid go-to-market: direct enterprise sales with inside-sales follow-up through website contact forms, event-driven demand generation (Tokyo Summit, Put Data First Conference 2025, Cybersecurity Woman of Japan Awards), and channel partnerships with major Japanese learning infrastructure providers. Distribution has materially expanded in late 2025 and early 2026 through integration with NTT DOCOMO gacco's enterprise learning platform 'Gacco for Biz' (access to 1M+ Japanese learners nationwide) and a strategic partnership with Lightworks Corporation, which SAYA describes as Japan's #1 corporate training platform. Customer segments span Japanese enterprises (primary), large organizations and educational institutions (via gacco), government/public sector, and a consumer/family segment served through an updated Japanese-language website. Co-founders Jonathan Hiroshi Rossi (President & CEO) and Crystal Lopez (COO) lead a 1-10 employee team; no external venture funding rounds are disclosed.

Name

Saya University

Legal name

KV Equity Partners (SAYA)

Website

https://sayauniversity.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Saya University is a Japan-focused security awareness SaaS platform offering anime-style micro-learning, phishing simulation, and admin dashboards, delivered through direct enterprise sales and channel partnerships with NTT DOCOMO gacco and Lightworks.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cybersecurity Awareness Training Software

NAICS

Computer Training (61142), Software Publishers (5132), Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Phishing, Social Engineering & Business Email Compromise (BEC) Training (EDABAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cybersecurity Learning Platforms (EDAFANAF), IT, Software & Cybersecurity Training (EDAGANAF)

Keywords

• Cybersecurity awareness training
• Phishing simulation software
• Enterprise learning management
• Micro-learning content
• Security education platform

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Enterprise Cybersecurity Training Subscription: Subscription-based licensing of the SAYA cybersecurity awareness training platform to enterprise organizations. Pricing starts from $1 per month per user, with the subscription including training content, phishing simulations, admin dashboard access, onboarding support, and ongoing support. Deployed through direct sales, channel partners (Lightworks), and enterprise learning platforms (NTT DOCOMO gacco).
2. Enterprise Learning Platform Distribution: Revenue generated through integration with NTT DOCOMO gacco's enterprise learning environment (Gacco for Biz), where SAYA's training is offered as an official learning path, enabling organizations to deploy and manage cybersecurity training at scale.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Saya University sells a subscription-based cybersecurity awareness training platform for Japanese enterprises, consisting of SAYA Training (anime-style micro-learning video modules originally developed in Japanese), SAYA Phishing (realistic phishing and social-engineering simulations), and SAYA Admin (organizational progress tracking and quiz management dashboard). The offering is priced from approximately $1 per user per month and is also distributed through the NTT DOCOMO gacco and Lightworks enterprise learning platforms, targeting Japanese corporations seeking to reduce employee-driven cybersecurity incidents.

Product overview

Saya University offers a unified platform-based cybersecurity awareness solution for Japanese enterprises consisting of SAYA Training (core educational content), SAYA Phishing (simulation capabilities), and SAYA Admin (management dashboard), all delivered through the SAYA Learning System. The platform delivers Japan-native anime-style micro-learning with content covering security awareness, phishing, malware, email security, ransomware, remote work, IoT, device protection, and insider threats. Content is available via subscription plans starting from $1/month and is also accessible through the NTT DOCOMO gacco enterprise learning platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SAYA TRAINING: Cybersecurity training platform covering fundamentals to advanced attack techniques for all employees
• SAYA PHISHING
• SAYA ADMIN

Products and services

• SAYA Training Core cybersecurity training offering that educates employees on fundamentals from basic cybersecurity principles to advanced attack techniques used by threat actors worldwide, enabling Japanese enterprise employees to identify and respond to attacks to prevent data breaches.
• SAYA Phishing Phishing simulation platform covering password management best practices and realistic phishing attack simulations. Tests employees with realistic phishing emails and social engineering attacks, including MFA fatigue, QR phishing, help-desk impersonation, deepfake impersonation, supplier fraud, and BEC, so employees know how to act when facing real threats.
• SAYA Admin Administrative dashboard for administrators and organizational leaders featuring progress tracking, learning plan management, and quiz management capabilities to monitor and analyze organizational cybersecurity knowledge across employees.
• SAYA Learning System Comprehensive learning management system using gamification principles and practical simulations for efficient, engaging, and effective learning experiences. Combines the SAYA video library with quiz-based reinforcement for lasting knowledge retention across Japanese enterprise workforces.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1.2 to 6.7 billion yen average damage from ransomware infections in Japanese enterprises (NEC 2024 report)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability4 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NTT DOCOMO gaccocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 7 January 2026NTT DOCOMO gacco offers SAYA's cybersecurity awareness training as an official learning path within its enterprise learning environment 'Gacco for Biz'. The partnership enables Japanese enterprises to deploy culturally fluent cybersecurity education at scale through Japan's most trusted digital learning platform, reaching over 1 million learners nationwide.
• United Cybersecurity Alliance (UCA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 December 2025United Cybersecurity Alliance and SAYA co-host the Cybersecurity Woman of Japan Awards, now in its third year. This awards program recognizes women in cybersecurity and promotes diversity in Japan's digital future, with SAYA playing a central role in supporting and organizing the event.
• Sega Sammy HoldingscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 December 2025Sega Sammy Holdings partnered with SAYA University and United Cybersecurity Alliance to host the Cybersecurity Woman of Japan Awards 2025. The partnership demonstrates Sega Sammy's commitment to diversity in cybersecurity and supports SAYA's mission of promoting cybersecurity awareness across Japan's workforce.
• Lightworks (株式会社ライトワークス)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 29 September 2025Lightworks, Japan's #1 corporate training platform, integrates SAYA's cybersecurity training modules into its enterprise training ecosystem. This strategic partnership enables Lightworks to offer comprehensive employee cybersecurity awareness programs to Japanese enterprises, combining Lightworks' market dominance with SAYA's Japan-native content library.
• InteligencaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 November 2019SAYA partnered with Inteligenca to bring the 100 Women 100 Days (100W100D) cybersecurity career accelerator program to Japan in 2020. The program aimed to develop 100 female cybersecurity professionals in Japan, supporting diversity in the cybersecurity workforce.
• KV Equity PartnerscoreOthersKV Equity Partners is the US-based parent company operating SAYA University. Founded by Jonathan Hiroshi Rossi and Crystal Lopez, KV Equity Partners established SAYA as a Japan-focused cybersecurity education platform.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• KnowBe4: Global leader in security awareness training and phishing simulation. Most directly comparable peer — both sell subscription-based awareness platforms to enterprises — though KnowBe4 operates globally with localized content across many languages rather than specializing in Japanese-native content.
• Ninjio: Security awareness training platform using animated, episodic video content to teach cybersecurity concepts. Closest comparable in content format (animated micro-learning episodes) and approach — differs in geographic focus (US/global vs. Japan) and style (Hollywood-style vs. anime-style animation).
• Hoxhunt: Phishing simulation and security awareness platform with strong gamification and behavioral measurement. Directly comparable phishing simulator offering and enterprise subscription model — Hoxhunt is expanding into Asia but has its strongest footprint in Europe and North America.

Broad incumbents

• Proofpoint Security Awareness: Security vendor offering security awareness training as part of a broader enterprise security portfolio (after acquiring Terranova Security). Comparable core capability but bundled within a much larger security stack — represents both competitive threat and potential partnership/acquisition target for SAYA.
• Trend Micro: Major Japanese-headquartered global cybersecurity vendor with enterprise training offerings. Broad incumbent in Japan cybersecurity market — offers security awareness as part of broader portfolio but lacks SAYA's specialized content depth and anime-style engagement approach.

Emerging players

• Terranova Security: Security awareness and phishing simulation provider, now part of Proofpoint. Comparable awareness training content library and multilingual approach — but lacks SAYA's Japan-native cultural specialization and anime content style.
• SANS Institute: Global cybersecurity training and certification provider offering both technical training and security awareness content. Comparable training content category but operates a different business model (intensive certification courses vs. micro-learning subscription) and serves different buyer personas (security professionals vs. all employees).
• Phished: Phishing simulation and security awareness platform with AI-driven personalized training. Comparable subscription model and phishing simulator offering — smaller player focused on European market but with adjacent technology approach to SAYA's phishing simulation product.

Regional players

• Cybereason: Japan-origin cybersecurity company (founded by Israeli-Japanese team) with strong Japanese enterprise presence. Comparable in Japan market focus and enterprise security category, but focused on endpoint detection/response rather than security awareness training — adjacent rather than direct competitor.
• LAC Co., Ltd. Japanese cybersecurity company providing enterprise security services and training. Operates in the same Japanese enterprise security awareness market but with a different model — service-led rather than SaaS-led — and serves similar enterprise customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sayauniversity
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/saya-university

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Saya University