CADDi: Work Environment, Benefits, Company History & Founders

As the global manufacturing industry undergoes a massive transformation driven by technology, CADDi has emerged as a rising “tech unicorn” with a bold mission: to unlock the full potential of the manufacturing sector. Founded in 2017, CADDi provides cutting-edge digital solutions that help businesses optimize costs, enhance productivity, and strengthen their competitive edge in the global market.

Company Growth & Key Milestones

CADDi was founded in 2017, originating from the idea of building a procurement platform based on 3D CAD, enabling manufacturing businesses to optimize their component sourcing and evaluation processes. Just one year later, in 2018, CADDi transitioned to 2D drawing technology, unlocking broader application potential in traditional industries where 2D technical drawings still dominate.

Experiencing rapid growth, by 2019, CADDi had reached 5,000 customers, solidifying its position as a leading platform for drawing management and supply chain operations. In the same year, the company expanded into the assembly sector, helping businesses optimize production from design to execution.

Beyond Japan, CADDi continued its global expansion. In 2022, the company made significant strides into Southeast Asia, including Vietnam—a key manufacturing hub with strong component sourcing and outsourcing potential. As a result, CADDi quickly developed a multinational customer base and expanded its influence in the global manufacturing sector.

CADDi officially entered a phase of globalization, establishing a strong presence in the U.S., Mexico, and other Asian countries. Alongside market expansion, the company consistently invests in AI and digitalization, upgrading the CADDi Drawer platform to provide an optimized experience for businesses.

CADDi’s success has been recognized internationally. In 2024, the company was honored as the “Most Innovative Manufacturing Software Company,” reinforcing its pioneering role in applying AI and big data to manufacturing management. With total funding of 21.7 billion yen raised in its Series C round, CADDi is laying a solid foundation for further expansion and innovation in the manufacturing industry.

In July 2024, the company announced the merger of CADDi Manufacturing and CADDi Drawer businesses, currently entering its second development phase under the name “Data Platform Business.”

Global Market Expansion

In addition to its headquarters in Japan, CADDi has been expanding into the U.S., Mexico, and Asian countries like Vietnam. In the U.S., the company aims to accelerate hiring to support factories facing inflation and high labor costs. Meanwhile, the Southeast Asian market, particularly Vietnam, is seen as a high-potential manufacturing center thanks to competitive costs and a highly skilled workforce.

Notably, CADDi continues to strengthen partnerships with major tech companies. By joining the Google Cloud Partner Advantage program, CADDi leverages advanced AI infrastructure and cloud computing, opening opportunities to provide more flexible and efficient solutions to global customer

Vision and Mission

The manufacturing industry has faced recurring challenges for over a century due to fragmented process optimization, scattered data, and repeated reinvention of existing solutions instead of leveraging past knowledge.

CADDi aims to transform this model by creating an ecosystem where data from production, transactions, and operations is accumulated into valuable assets. We believe that when businesses can effectively utilize past data, decision-making processes will become faster, more accurate, and generate superior value.

Through technology and innovation, CADDi strives to establish a value cycle where previously untapped manufacturing potential can be unlocked, allowing the industry to grow stronger and more sustainably.

Key Technology Solution: CADDi Drawer

CADDi’s flagship product is CADDi Drawer, an AI-powered technical drawing and data management platform. This solution enables businesses to:

• Digitize and centralize all drawings and technical documents.
• Instantly search using image and text recognition technology, saving hours of work compared to traditional methods.
• Optimize procurement processes by quickly identifying similar components, suitable suppliers, and reducing errors through transparent data.

With CADDi Drawer, engineering and procurement teams can collaborate more efficiently, cut costs, and accelerate time-to-market.

Amid labor shortages and rising operational costs, CADDi’s AI-powered solution helps businesses:

• Automate the search and management of drawings.
• Reduce waste by preventing duplicate designs or production errors.
• Boost productivity by optimizing the supply chain and enhancing cross-department collaboration.

Additionally, CADDi collaborates with major industry players to build a smart manufacturing ecosystem, driving digital transformation on a global scale.

Work environment

CADDi offers a modern and flexible work environment tailored for technology and engineering professionals. The company adopts a hybrid work model, allowing employees to work both in-office and remotely, with flexible hours to maintain work-life balance. Internal communication is prioritized with regular meetings such as Tech All Hands and Company-wide All Hands, ensuring updates on business strategies and developments.

The company culture fosters innovation, critical thinking, and a seamless integration of technology and human expertise. CADDi seeks individuals passionate about technology, ready to take on challenges, and committed to continuous personal growth.

Employee Benefits at CADDi

CADDi provides an attractive benefits package to ensure employees' well-being and long-term career growth. The company follows a flexible work model, requiring at least one office visit per week, with remote work options in special cases.

Employees at CADDi enjoy full paid leave entitlements, including 12 days of paid annual leave, public holidays, Tet holidays, and year-end holidays. In terms of compensation, CADDi offers biannual salary reviews, 13th-month salary, and an employee stock option program. During the probation period, employees still receive 100% of their base salary along with mandatory social insurance contributions.

Additionally, CADDi provides premium healthcare insurance, regular health checkups, and support for specialized training programs. Employees are equipped with necessary work devices and have opportunities to receive various internal awards, such as the MVP award every six months. The work environment also fosters team bonding through activities like year-end parties and team-building events.

CADDi’s Talented Founders

Yushiro Kato – Co-founder & Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

A seasoned expert in manufacturing procurement, Yushiro Kato previously worked at McKinsey & Company, assisting major corporations across Chicago, Milwaukee, New Jersey, and beyond.

With a bold vision for innovation, Yushiro founded CADDi in November 2017 with the mission to revolutionize the manufacturing industry. Under his leadership, CADDi has consistently delivered groundbreaking solutions, creating immense value for businesses. Thanks to his outstanding contributions, Yushiro was recognized by Forbes as one of the Top 10 Entrepreneurs of 2023, solidifying his status as a trailblazing leader in manufacturing technology.

 

Akifumi Kobashi – Co-founder & Chief Technology Officer (CTO)

A highly skilled engineer with an academic background from Stanford University, Akifumi Kobashi has built an impressive career at some of the world's leading tech companies. He previously worked at Lockheed Martin, collaborating with NASA and JAXA on advanced data processing systems.

Later, Akifumi joined Apple, contributing to the development of iconic products like the iPhone and AirPods. Driven by his passion for transforming the manufacturing industry, he co-founded CADDi in 2017. Just two years later, in 2019, he was recognized in Forbes’ "30 Under 30", marking him as a promising young leader in technology.

With the vision to “unlock the full potential of the manufacturing industry,” CADDi continues to strengthen its pioneering role in manufacturing technology. Through cutting-edge AI solutions like CADDi Drawer and an ambitious global expansion strategy, CADDi is set to drive digital transformation for many manufacturing enterprises.

This also presents an opportunity for industry players to enhance operational efficiency, meet market demands, and maintain long-term competitive advantages.

Check out CADDi’s hottest job openings on Aniday here!

 

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