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Our History

SmartHR’s History

  1. 2013

    • KUFU, Inc. established
    Logo of KUFU Inc. and a photo of the company’s office

  2. 2015

    • Seed funding: 30 million yen
    • After 11 business pivots, released “SmartHR”
    • Awarded first prize at TechCrunch Tokyo 2015
    Image representing the SmartHR servicePhoto from TechCrunch Tokyo 2015

  3. 2016

    • Pre-series A funding: 40 million yen
    • Series A funding: 500 million yen
    • Awarded first prize at HR Awards 2016 (HR & Labor Section)

  4. 2017

    • Company rebranded to SmartHR, Inc.
    • Revamped corporate & service logo
    SmartHR

  5. 2018

    • Series B funding: 1.5 billion yen
    • Reached 10,000 registered companies on SmartHR
    • Selected for the J-Startup program
    • Revised corporate mission to “Hacking Society’s Irrationalities”
    SmartHR

  6. 2019

    • Opened Kansai branch
    • Series C funding: 6.15 billion yen
    • Launched Talent Management product
    Photo of company executivesImage of the Talent Management features with quick analytical reports

  7. 2020

    • Opened Kyushu branch
    • Reached 30,000 registered companies on SmartHR
    • Opened Tokai branch

  8. 2021

    • Series D funding: 15.6 billion yen, achieved unicorn status
    • Established group company: Smart Sodanshitsu
    • Awarded first prize at Transit Advertising Awards 2021
    Photo of the award-winning advertisement at the "Transit Advertising Awards 2021"

  9. 2022

    • Masato Serizawa appointed CEO
    • Company reached 500 employees
    • Established group company Nstock
      • * Now independent from the SmartHR Group
    • Revised corporate mission to “Well-Working, Well-Being: Solving societal issues surrounding work and creating a society where everyone can choose how they contribute.”
    • Reached 50,000 registered companies on SmartHR
    Photo of CEO Masato Serizawa and Founder Shoji MiyataUpdated corporate mission: “Well-Working, Well-Being: Solving societal issues surrounding work and creating a society where everyone can choose how they contribute”

  10. 2023

    • Achieved T2D3, ARR reached 10 billion yen
    • Opened Chugoku branch
    Photo of SmartHR’s Tokyo office

  11. 2024

    • Reached 1,000 employees
    • ARR reached 15 billion yen
    • Certified as a Great Place To Work
    • Series E funding: 21.4 billion yen
    • Received the Prime Minister's Award at the Nippon Startup Awards 2024
    • Released service-based rebranding: SmartHR Labor Management and SmartHR Talent Management
    Graph showing ARR reaching 15 billion yen
    1. ※1Annual Recurring Revenue as of the end of each quarter. Calculated by multiplying the Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR) of SmartHR, Inc. for the target month by 12. MRR is the total amount of monthly fees from paying customers as of the end of the final month in the target period (excluding one-time revenues).
    2. ※2As of the end of February 2024. The chart compares the figures as of the end of February for each year.

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We’re Hiring!

We’re on the lookout for teammates who share our passion.

At SmartHR, our vision is to create a society where everyone can choose how they contribute. If our mission and values resonate with you, come be a part of our journey.

Recruitment