Kira Talent

Kira Talent is a Canadian education technology company that has established itself as a leading provider of holistic admissions solutions for higher education institutions worldwide. Founded in 2012 by Emilie Cushman and Konrad Listwan, the company was born out of the recognition that traditional admissions processes were often one-dimensional and failed to capture the full potential of applicants. Kira Talent's platform was developed to address this gap by offering a more comprehensive and equitable way to evaluate candidates beyond standardized test scores and transcripts. The company's core offering is a cloud-based assessment platform that integrates on-demand, timed video and written assessments into the existing admissions workflow. This allows admissions teams to gain deeper insights into a candidate's soft skills, such as communication, critical thinking, leadership, and motivation. By standardizing the assessment process, Kira Talent aims to reduce unconscious bias and create a more level playing field for all applicants, enabling institutions to identify individuals who are the best fit for their programs.

Since its inception, Kira Talent has experienced significant growth and has been adopted by over 1,100 programs globally. The platform is designed to be flexible and customizable, allowing schools to tailor assessments to their specific needs and branding. In addition to its asynchronous assessment tools, the company also provides solutions for structured live interviews, further enhancing the ability of admissions committees to conduct thorough and fair evaluations. In 2021, Kira Talent was acquired by ETS Strategic Capital, a move that has further solidified its position in the market and provided additional resources for growth and innovation. The company remains committed to its mission of making the admissions process more efficient, effective, and fair for both institutions and applicants. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, Kira Talent operates as a fully remote team, with employees located across North America, reflecting its modern and adaptable approach to the future of work and education.