Kiri

Kiri develops screen-free educational smart toys for early language learning. Its core product is a two-inch wooden smart block that responds when touched to a mode card and to subject-based tiles, both embedded with RFID chips. The system supports three languages — English, Spanish and Chinese (Mandarin) — and three modes of play: Explore Mode, in which the block pronounces the word on the tile, glows in a related color and plays associated sounds for the Instruments and Music Genres packs; Definitions Mode, in which the block says the word and then defines it in English; and Quiz Mode, in which the block asks the child to find the matching tile and confirms whether the answer is correct.

The product line is organized around a Starter Kit and an expanding library of subject-based Tile Packs. The Starter Kit contains the Kiri Smart Block (for ages 3 and up), a USB charger supporting about three hours of continuous play, the Instruments Tile Pack (20 instruments with their sounds and names), the Phrases Tile Pack (20 common phrases of up to five words each), a mode card, a tote bag and an instruction manual. Tile Pack subjects on sale include Alphabet, Body, Bugs, Counting, Dinosaurs, Feelings, Food, Instruments, Landforms, Music Genres, Pets, Phrases, Space and Sports. The company states its Tile Pack library is growing toward more than 30 subjects covering thousands of words, phrases and concepts, with the first 15 available.

Kiri positions its approach around Montessori principles of self-directed, multisensory play and markets the toy as a technology-enabled alternative to screens, and its eco-friendly beechwood block as an alternative to plastic toys. The company cites recognition as a Best Invention of 2020 and a World Changing Idea, and appeared in the Startup Battlefield cohort at TechCrunch Disrupt 2020.

Business model

Direct-to-consumer hardware sales through the company's own online store: a hardware Starter Kit forms the installed base, with recurring purchases of subject-based content Tile Packs sold individually and via a subscription.

Product revenue from the Kiri Starter Kit (listed at $149.00, offered at $49.99) and Tile Packs (listed at $25.00, offered at $19.99), plus a Tile Pack subscription.

Traction

The online store lists 15 products (one Starter Kit and 14 Tile Packs), with two Tile Packs shown as sold out. TechCrunch's company profile reports $120,000 raised as of January 1, 2025, and lists the operating status as Open.

Latest developments

The company is expanding its Tile Pack library toward more than 30 subjects and says smart features for personalizing a child's learning experience are coming; the Starter Kit and Tile Packs are being sold at discounted prices, with the Body and Food Tile Packs sold out.