Qiara

About Qiara

Qiara is a French company operating in the home security market, aiming to replicate the disruptive model of telecom operator Free in a new sector. Founded in September 2020 by Alexis Bidinot, the former Deputy CEO of Iliad/Free, Qiara leverages deep expertise from the telecommunications industry. Bidinot’s experience, which includes co-founding Actradis.fr and overseeing the digital transformation for the Olympic Committee at Atos, is directly related to Qiara's mission to challenge the established home security oligopoly. The founding team also includes engineers who were instrumental in developing the Freebox for millions of households. The company launched its first product line in early 2023 and quickly sold out, indicating strong market reception.

Qiara's business model is centered on making home protection accessible through fairly priced hardware and flexible, non-binding subscription plans. The company generates revenue by selling a starter hardware pack at cost and offering tiered monthly subscriptions for its services. The two main subscription tiers are a basic plan for under €10 per month and a premium plan with professional remote surveillance for under €20 per month. This strategy directly contrasts with incumbent providers who often charge significantly more for hardware and lock customers into long-term contracts. In April 2023, Qiara secured €14 million in a funding round with participation from Iliad and Xavier Niel, designed to accelerate commercial development and production.

The company's core offering is a connected alarm system consisting of five smart devices designed for simple, tool-free installation in under 30 minutes. The "Essential Pack" includes a full HD smart surveillance camera with a physical privacy shutter, a motion detector capable of distinguishing between humans and pets, a door and window opening sensor, a 105 dB siren, and a keypad. The system is managed via a mobile application that allows all household members to monitor the home, receive alerts, and control the system remotely. A key feature is its reliance on a dedicated IoT network, ensuring the system remains operational during internet or power outages. Qiara has partnered with SOTEL, a leading French remote surveillance company, to provide professional monitoring services. A significant distribution partnership with Free provides Freebox subscribers exclusive discounts on Qiara's hardware and services, aiming to equip one million households within five years.