KAERU
Payment service for seniors with cognitive decline.
| Date | Investors | Amount | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | investor investor | €0.0 | round |
| N/A | €0.0 | round | |
* | JPY130m | Early VC | |
| Total Funding | 000k | ||
KAERU Inc. is a fintech company founded in October 2020 by Tomohiro Okada (CEO) and Katsuhiko Fukuda (COO) that develops financial services tailored for Japan's super-aged society. The co-founders leveraged their extensive backgrounds in payment services—Okada at LINE Pay and Fukuda at Mercari/Merpay—to address the financial challenges faced by the elderly. Their mission is to create a world where everyone can continue to enjoy shopping, regardless of age or cognitive ability.
The company's core product is "KAERU," a cashless payment service combining a smartphone app and a prepaid card. It is designed for seniors, including those with dementia or mild cognitive impairment, and their supporters. Key features include functions to support short-term memory, control high-value transactions, instantly freeze the card if lost, and allow for remote support from family or caregivers. This addresses issues like forgetting what to buy, making duplicate purchases, and difficulty with cash calculations. KAERU also offers "KAERU Biz," a service aimed at professional caregivers, social welfare councils, and adult guardians to streamline financial management and reduce administrative burdens and risks associated with handling cash.
The business idea emerged from identifying the intersection of their expertise in payments and the significant market trend of Japan's aging population. The development process has been heavily informed by interviews and trials with over 150 potential users, their families, and specialists to ensure the service meets their specific needs. The company generates revenue through its services and has received funding from investors including Sony Innovation Fund and United, Inc. KAERU aims to become the top-of-mind payment service for the elderly by 2025, a year when Japan's baby boomer generation will enter their late senior years.
Keywords: AgeTech, FinTech, cashless payment, senior financial services, dementia support, prepaid card, financial inclusion, caregiving support, cognitive decline, money management, remote care, social welfare, adult guardianship, payment solutions, elderly care, assistive technology, Japanese market, digital transformation, financial management, shopping assistance