What is Kiau?
Kiau, loosely translated to "Suiting Trees," is a nod to revering trees and the role they play in ecosystems across the world — as well as to the tradition of Japanese woodworking. Japanese joinery does not go against the grain of the wood; instead it works in harmony with the natural grain and inherent material properties of the wood.
Japanese joinery acknowledges that wood is not a dead, static material — it expands and contracts with changes in humidity and temperature. By using interlocking joints that rely on friction and compression instead of glue or nails, structures built with joinery can shift without losing integrity.
Our Mission
Similarly, Kiau Technologies PBC is committed to imagining technology designed in harmony with the natural environment. Our mission is to:
- Radically rethink our everyday interactions with technology
- Challenge the notion that humanity and nature are separate
- Design tools and tech as living companions instead of instruments of surveillance and extraction
Our team's collaboration and technical expertise have enabled us to overcome various challenges, ensuring continuous progress toward commercializing our innovative solutions.
The Kanji
き. The character for tree, root of the word for forest (森, mori) and wood (木材, mokuzai). A living system, not a resource.
あう. To fit, suit, join — as in the interlocking wood joints of traditional Japanese carpentry. Strength through alignment, not force.
Together: technology that works with the grain of nature. Not extraction, not domination — harmonious design.
Public Benefit Corporation
Kiau Technologies is structured as a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC) — a legal designation that formally commits us to pursuing a public benefit alongside profit. This means our work on regenerative technology, circular materials, and open-source tools is baked into our legal mandate, not just our mission statement.
Learn more about what a PBC means and why we chose this structure on the PBCs page →