Kaizen Secures $21M Series A to Modernize US Government Digital Services

Kaizen, a New York-based civic technology startup founded in 2022, has raised $21 million in a Series A funding round led by NEA and backed by Andreessen Horowitz, Accel, and other investors, bringing its total funding to $35 million. The company specializes in modernizing public-facing government services such as parks and recreation bookings, DMV appointments, utility payments, and court management, aiming to replace outdated, fragmented systems with a unified, AI-native, and consumer-grade digital platform. Kaizen's technology has already been adopted by over 50 agencies across 17 states, serving approximately 30 million residents, and has demonstrated tangible improvements, such as reducing traffic jams and increasing visitor satisfaction in Maryland state parks. The startup plans to use the new funds to expand its team from 30 to 50 employees, primarily at its New York headquarters, and to scale its software platform for broader government adoption at local, state, and federal levels. Kaizen's co-founder and CEO, Nikhil Reddy, emphasizes the company's mission to transform public service experiences to match those found in the private sector, thereby restoring public trust in government technology. Industry leaders praise Kaizen as a key player in the "American Dynamism" movement, which supports startups addressing critical national interests through advanced technology.