The wait is over. Dallas-based Kanarys—a technology platform that fosters collaboration between companies and employees on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace—has officially launched.

The launch was celebrated last week at a party at One Arts Plaza.

Kanarys’ first-of-its-kind platform allows a company to measure its performance against DEI benchmarks and identify areas of improvement and growth. The platform does so by gathering and analyzing cultural and demographic data, industry rankings and trends, and anonymous employee reviews on DEI to help companies cultivate more inclusive workplaces.

The anonymous employee reviews are based on personal experiences and can be submitted without fear of repercussions. Data collected from the reviews is made available through a company dashboard for corporate early adopters, so they can then use the feedback and input from real employees to make better decisions about how to improve the culture.

Mandy Price is the co-founder and CEO of Kanarys. [Photo: Courtesy Kanarys]

Mandy Price, CEO and one of the founders of Kanarys, told Dallas Innovates earlier this year that the company is a result of the experiences of its co-founders.

All three said they were reluctant or hesitant to raise some inclusion and diversity issues because they were concerned about retribution or retaliation.

“Studies show that less than 30 percent of underrepresented professionals feel connected or heard in the workplace, costing companies as much as $144,000 per employee in attrition costs annually,” Price said in a statement. “Kanarys takes the emotion out of an often difficult subject for employers by providing real data on DEI, building and thereby empowering them to make changes that will benefit everyone.”

Work on Kanarys by co-founders Mandy Price, Star Carter, and Bennie King began almost 14 months ago, and the company launched a beta interface to corporate early adopters in February. That release was aided by $725,000 raised in a pre-seed funding round. Kanarys used the money to add data analysis and AI/machine learning talent to its team.

Kanarys has also established a DEI research partnership with the University of Texas at Austin, and created an advisory board with members who have offered their expertise throughout the platform’s development. 

Launch party attendees view Kanarys’ website on big screens. [Photo: Courtesy Kanarys]

Kanarys goes local with first clients

Dallas-based Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, PC is one Kanarys’ first early adopters, according to the company. Besides the law firm, Kanarys said it has three pending agreements with other companies.

“By giving our employees the ability to provide anonymous reviews and participate in a number of surveys, Kanarys’ data-driven platform offers custom tools and analysis that help us identify and address DEI challenges specific to our law firm,” Nolan C. Knight, co-chair of Munsch Hardt’s Diversity Committee, said. “In turn, our leadership team will be able to track DEI performance, directly address employee concerns and, ultimately, build a more innovative and inclusive workplace for all our employees.” 

In the past 14 months, Kanarys’ team has grown from its three founders to 14 employees. In the fall, Kanarys said it plans to launch a seed funding round that will be used to build out and iterate the technology platform and expand its team of technology experts. 

Launch party attendees mingle at One Arts Plaza. [Photo: Courtesy Kanarys]

Founders Mandy Price and Star Carter, and Chief Product Officer Tran Phuong enjoy the Kanarys launch party. [Photo: Courtesy Kanarys]

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