UniFa

About UniFa

UniFa Inc. is a Japanese "Childcare-Tech" startup founded in 2013 by CEO Yasuyuki Toki. The company aims to solve social issues within the childcare industry by leveraging technology to create a new social infrastructure. Toki's motivation for starting the company reportedly came from his personal experience with the challenges of childcare and the desire to create a better environment for both children and caregivers.

UniFa develops and provides a comprehensive ICT service platform called "Lookmee" (also spelled "Lukmee"). This platform is designed for childcare facilities like nursery schools and kindergartens to improve operational efficiency and the quality of care. The service utilizes Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to automate and streamline various administrative tasks. Key features include a smart thermometer for health checks, nap monitoring to ensure child safety, attendance tracking, and a photo service that automatically captures and organizes pictures for parents, helping to reduce the workload of childcare professionals. By automating these processes, UniFa enables educators to dedicate more time to interacting with the children.

The company operates on a vertical SaaS business model, providing its technology solutions to childcare centers primarily in Japan. As of September 2024, the "Lookmee" series has been introduced in over 20,000 instances and adopted by approximately 70 municipalities. UniFa has attracted significant investment, raising approximately $85.8 million in total funding. A notable funding round in August 2024 brought in JPY 500 million (approximately $3.4 million) from investors including MIXI, MPower Partners, Fujitsu Ventures, and Hachijuni Investment. This capital is intended for product development, including new AI functions, marketing, and potential M&A activities to strengthen its market position.