#Japan #Minato #Knowledge Work #Sales AI Agent #Kojisuke Asano

Knowledge Work Launches Sales AI Agent OS

On October 20, 2023, Knowledge Work, a Tokyo-based startup, announced the launch of its cutting-edge Sales AI Agent Operating System (OS). This initiative aims to enhance sales efficiency and productivity for businesses through an innovative framework that utilizes AI technology. The launch comes on the heels of a successful Series C funding round, where the company raised a staggering 35 billion yen (approximately $350 million) from both existing and new investors, including major corporations such as Ricoh Japan and Canon Marketing Japan.

A New Era of Sales AI

Knowledge Work’s mission is encapsulated in the phrase, “LIFE WITH ENABLEMENT,” which focuses on delivering joy through the empowerment of individuals in their everyday work lives. The Sales AI Agent OS serves as the backbone for providing high-precision, rapid, and user-friendly sales AI agents that can transform sales processes across various sectors.

Historically, many companies have struggled with implementing generative AI effectively, with research suggesting that around 95% failed to yield a return on investment (ROI). However, Knowledge Work's strategy pivots toward not merely rolling out universal chatbot solutions but instead focusing on deploying highly specialized AI agents tailored to specific functions and departments. This vertical use case strategy is expected to drive significant improvements in productivity.

Japan currently faces significant challenges regarding sales productivity. Many sales teams allocate excessive time to preparations and internal tasks, reducing the time spent engaging with clients. This inefficiency results in inconsistent performance levels across sales representatives. To address this, Knowledge Work has been pioneering sales-centric vertical AI agents called Sales AI Agents.

Solutions for Enhanced Productivity

The company has offered various solutions to boost sales productivity, including the Sales AX Consulting Series, which supports the construction and operation of customized AI agents tailored to clients' sales processes, and the Sales AI Product Series, which quickly delivers standard AI agents for typical sales tasks. The new Sales AI Agent OS will enhance these offerings by providing a robust framework for precision AI agents.

The Sales AI Agent OS is structured with several key layers:

• - Ontology Layer: This enables the AI agents to utilize company-specific sales data within the relevant sales context.
• - Strategy Layer: Here, individual sales strategies are fed into the AI agent.
• - AI Agent Layer: This facilitates the implementation, management, and analysis of AI agents.
• - Interface Layer: This layer provides the necessary interface for utilizing the AI agents.

By combining these layers, Knowledge Work aims to deliver sales AI agents that are not only quick to deploy but also highly accurate and easy to use.

Strategic Partnerships and Future Growth

The recent funding round was not limited to traditional investors but also attracted new stakeholders, showcasing a mix of corporate venture capital and strategic partnerships with industry-leading companies. This will allow Knowledge Work to leverage each partner's customer base and solutions alongside its AI expertise to expedite the rollout of Sales AI Agents. The involvement of established firms such as NTT Docomo Ventures, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, and Dentsu Ventures signifies a strong trust in Knowledge Work's vision and potential.

Gregory Kanno, a partner at Globis Capital Partners and a lead investor, commented on the firm’s remarkable adaptability and growth, attributing these achievements to their agility in leveraging AI advancements. As part of the next chapter, the company's expected direction involves not just advancing its technology but also forming alliances that synergize expertise across various industries—a key component of its transformative journey.

CEO Kojisuke Asano emphasized the importance of enabling companies and their employees through innovative solutions. With the rise of generative AI, he sees a more significant evolution in the ways companies can operate effectively, thereby continuing to empower individuals on the ground. CAIO Hazumu Yamazaki added that the rollout of the Sales AI Agent OS positions Knowledge Work uniquely as a one-stop AI company, capable of facilitating significant sales transformations for large enterprises.

About Knowledge Work

Founded in March 2020 and headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Knowledge Work is dedicated to supporting the enablement of employees through innovative sales solutions. The company’s distinctive offerings—the Sales AX Consulting Series, Sales AI Product Series, and Sales AI Agent OS Series—are designed to empower organizations and enhance their sales productivity significantly. With thousands of deployments in notable corporations, Knowledge Work continues to play a pivotal role in transforming the landscape of sales productivity in Japan and beyond.

For more information, visit their corporate site or their services site.