Kandji

Kandji, a San Diego, California-based organization, offers a cloud-based platform for managing and securing Apple devices, rebranded in October 2025 as Iru, an AI-driven IT and security platform for Apple, Windows, and Android. The company has secured $289 million in total funding across 7 rounds, reaching an $850 million valuation. With approximately 300-330 employees, Kandji reported over $19 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR) in 2022. Its platform serves IT and security teams at customers including Allbirds, Canva, and Notion, and partners with firms like ServiceNow, AWS, and Okta, delivering unified endpoint management, identity, and compliance for multi-OS environments. Kandji was founded in 2018 by Adam Pettit, Mark Daughters, and Wesley Pettit. Its business model centers on saaS subscription model for its MDM and security platform, generating revenue through customer subscriptions.

High-Level Overview

Kandji is a technology company specializing in Apple device management and security solutions, offering a cloud-based platform called Device Harmony that automates tasks like software updates, compliance, and configurations for Macs, iPhones, iPads, and Apple TVs.[1][2] It serves enterprises and mid-sized companies (typically over 500 employees) with heavy Apple device reliance, solving the problem of manual IT management in remote/hybrid environments by streamlining onboarding, security enforcement, and end-user experience.[1][2][5] In October 2025, Kandji rebranded to Iru, launching an AI-powered unified platform that expands beyond Apple to include Windows and Android, integrating endpoint management, detection/response, vulnerability management, and compliance automation.[4][7]

The platform's growth includes significant funding—$100 million raised by 2021—and features like Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR), positioning it as a leader for secure, scalable Apple ecosystems amid rising enterprise adoption.[1][3]

Origin Story

Kandji was founded in 2018 in San Francisco, California, by Adam Pettit (current CEO), Mark Daughters, and their team, targeting the surge in organizational Apple device adoption that lacked efficient management tools.[1] The idea emerged from the need to automate manual Apple fleet management, emphasizing security, compliance, and ease for IT admins amid growing enterprise use.[1]

Early traction came quickly: In March 2019, it secured seed funding from First Round Capital and Webb Investment Network, followed by a $100 million raise by 2021.[1] Pivotal moments include 2021's EDR additions and 2022's expanded features bridging IT and cybersecurity.[1] By 2024-2025, it established global hubs (Sydney, Tokyo, London, Miami HQ) and rebranded to Iru in October 2025, evolving into an AI-driven unified IT/security platform.[4][6][7]

Core Differentiators

• Automation and Ease of Use: One-click compliance templates, 150+ pre-built automations, and visual assignment maps reduce manual work; Auto Apps library auto-updates software, with user notifications for patches.[1][5]
• Unified Security: Integrates MDM, EDR (ML-enhanced detection/remediation on Mac/Windows), vulnerability management (AI-prioritized patching), and compliance automation; Iru Context Model provides a "living map" of users/apps/devices for AI insights.[3][4][5]
• Apple-First, Multi-Platform Expansion: Built for Apple fleets but now supports Windows/Android; partnerships like Cloudflare enable Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) with device posture checks.[2][3][4]
• Intuitive Experience: Self-service portal mimics App Store; global 24/7 support serves worldwide customers, praised for simplicity by IT teams and end-users.[1][5][6]

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Kandji (now Iru) rides the wave of Apple's enterprise dominance—from niche to standard over the past decade—fueled by remote/hybrid work and cyber threats starting at endpoints.[1][6] Timing aligns with AI-era IT consolidation: Nearly half of teams struggle with overlapping point tools, data silos, and fractured workflows, which Iru addresses via a single-stack platform.[4]

Market forces like explosive cybersecurity breaches, Zero Trust adoption, and multi-OS fleets favor it; integrations (e.g., Cloudflare for secure access) amplify influence.[3] It shapes the ecosystem by enabling faster, safer device onboarding for global enterprises, reducing IT overhead, and setting standards for AI-native security in fast-growing companies.[4][6][7]

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Iru is poised to dominate unified IT/security with its AI Context Model and multi-platform support, targeting global expansion from Miami as a "new frontier" hub.[4][6][7] Trends like AI-driven remediation, Zero Trust proliferation, and endpoint risks will propel growth, potentially making it a "unicorn" contender amid tool consolidation.[4][6]

Its evolution from Apple MDM specialist to full-stack platform echoes broader shifts toward elegant automation—watch for deeper AI actions, broader OS coverage, and ecosystem partnerships to cement influence in enterprise tech. This positions Iru as the go-to for securing modern workforces, building on Kandji's automation legacy.[1][4]