YeLL

YeLL, Co., Ltd., founded in June 2013 by CEO Masaru Sakurai, provides online 1-on-1 services designed to foster personal and organizational growth. The company operates in the HR technology market, offering a platform that connects corporate employees with external professionals, or "supporters," for weekly 30-minute dialogue sessions. This model addresses the common challenges of in-house 1-on-1s, such as lack of time, insufficient listening skills from managers, and employees' reluctance to speak openly due to internal power dynamics.

The company's business model is centered on subscription-based corporate contracts. YeLL has developed a range of研修 (kenshu) or training programs, including "YeLL 聴くトレ (Kiku-tore)" for improving listening skills, "YeLL キャリトレ (Kyari-tore)" for enhancing managers' career-related dialogue abilities, and "YeLL フィールド (Field)" for reinforcing learning from other training initiatives. By leveraging a network of over 4,500 supporters—comprising professional coaches, consultants, and business managers—and utilizing an AI-based matching system, YeLL ensures that employees are paired with the most suitable external partner to facilitate candid conversations and self-reflection.

Founder Masaru Sakurai, a graduate of Yokohama National University, previously worked at Works Applications and GC Story. His experiences in business and in launching a non-profit for early childhood education, for which he obtained a nursery teacher qualification, led him to recognize the profound value of listening. He joined YeLL in 2017, becoming CEO the same year. The company has achieved significant milestones, including a Series A funding round of 200 million JPY in January 2021 and a Series B round of 320 million JPY in June 2024. By early 2024, the platform had facilitated nearly 100,000 coaching sessions for clients that include major corporations like Toyota, Panasonic, and Japan Tobacco Inc.

Keywords: employee coaching, 1-on-1 meetings, organizational development, HR tech, leadership training, employee engagement, corporate training, communication skills, career development, talent management, remote work support, professional coaching, AI matching, corporate wellness, psychological safety, human resources, employee retention, management skills, peer support, subscription business