SmartNews

Founded in 2012, we develop software that delivers high-quality news from a wide variety of trusted publishers in one place. We use AI technology, combined with the expertise of news professionals, to power our mobile news application, used by millions. We partner with over 3,000 global publishers. Our core focus includes machine learning, mobile app development, data science, and managing our ad network.

We manage paid user acquisition, focusing on mobile marketing and content discovery across social, in-app, and programmatic channels. This means we handle multi-million dollar budgets to profitably acquire users, working with engineers, data scientists, and creative teams to develop data-driven insights and optimize ad formats. Our editors also program the news, using their judgment to monitor breaking stories, manage daily operations, contribute to push notifications, curate content, and develop new in-app experiences.

Our mission is to deliver the world’s quality information to the people who need it. We believe valuable, reliable news should be accessible to everyone.

Our Core Values:

• For the Common Good: We see quality information as essential social infrastructure and aim to contribute directly to society through our products.
• Outcome Obsession: Every action we take is designed to produce great outcomes and accomplish our mission.
• Nothing is Somebody Else’s Problem: We encourage everyone to take responsibility for the success of the entire organization when issues arise.

We have a diverse global team of 501-1000 individuals in offices across Japan, the US, and Singapore. Our culture is mission-driven and respects diversity, fostering collaboration among our multinational team members regardless of language or cultural differences. We offer hybrid work, combining in-office and remote work, or fully remote options for certain roles.

We support employee well-being and growth, especially in our Japan office. For example:

• Our SmartKitchen provides a daily rotating selection of complimentary breakfast granola, lunch boxes, and light snacks, prepared in-house with organic ingredients and nutritional balance.
• Chikyu Coffee is a refreshment space offering complimentary specialty coffee brewed by baristas, including seasonal flavors.
• Our meeting rooms are named after influential figures like McLuhan, Nightingale, and Osamu Tezuka, and feature related books. We offer a variety of large and small meeting spaces, as well as private booths for individual use.
• The Bookshelf Project started with a bookshelf dedicated to Alan Turing and has grown into numerous bookshelves filled with books related to the great figures after whom our meeting rooms are named.

Compensation includes a base salary, bonus, and equity. We offer a 401(k) with employer matching, and up to 100% medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families. We also provide a benefit plan with monthly allowances. For those working in the office, complimentary lunch, snacks, and beverages are available.