# Fern (Formerly Ishiki Labs)

**Source:** https://www.startuphub.ai/startups/fern-formerly-ishiki-labs
**Profile type:** Startup

> Realtime AI that understands conversational context to assist when needed, starting with sales.

## About

Fern is developing an AI that addresses a critical limitation in current multimodal models: the inability to discern when to remain silent. Unlike models that might speak inappropriately, Fern's AI understands conversational context and the nuances of who is being addressed, enabling it to provide assistance precisely when it's most valuable, initially focusing on sales applications.

## Key facts

- **Slug:** fern-formerly-ishiki-labs
- **Website:** https://fern.bot
- **Location:** San Francisco, United States
- **Founded:** 2023-05-01
- **Employees:** 2
- **Operating status:** Active
- **Sectors / tags:** Deep Learning, Generative AI, Voice AI, Conversational AI, Realtime Voice, Agentic AI, AI Agent, Speech Recognition, Speech-to-Text, Contact Center AI, Sales Tech, Multimodal AI

## Frequently asked

### What does Fern (Formerly Ishiki Labs) do?

Fern is developing an AI that addresses a critical limitation in current multimodal models: the inability to discern when to remain silent. Unlike models that might speak inappropriately, Fern's AI understands conversational context and the nuances of who is being addressed, enabling it to provide assistance precisely when it's most valuable, initially focusing on sales applications.

### Where is Fern (Formerly Ishiki Labs) headquartered?

Fern (Formerly Ishiki Labs) is headquartered in San Francisco, United States.

### When was Fern (Formerly Ishiki Labs) founded?

Fern (Formerly Ishiki Labs) was founded in 2023.

### What industry does Fern (Formerly Ishiki Labs) operate in?

Fern (Formerly Ishiki Labs) operates in Deep Learning, Generative AI, Voice AI, Conversational AI, Realtime Voice, Agentic AI.

### How many employees does Fern (Formerly Ishiki Labs) have?

Fern (Formerly Ishiki Labs) has approximately 2 people on record.

## JSON-LD

Structured data aligned with this page's `<script type="application/ld+json">` (included when the profile is server-rendered).

```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@graph": [
    {
      "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
      "itemListElement": [
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 1,
          "name": "Home",
          "item": "https://www.startuphub.ai"
        },
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 2,
          "name": "Startups",
          "item": "https://www.startuphub.ai/startups"
        },
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 3,
          "name": "Fern (Formerly Ishiki Labs)",
          "item": "https://www.startuphub.ai/startups/fern-formerly-ishiki-labs"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "@type": "ProfilePage",
      "@id": "https://www.startuphub.ai/startups/fern-formerly-ishiki-labs#webpage",
      "url": "https://www.startuphub.ai/startups/fern-formerly-ishiki-labs",
      "name": "Fern (Formerly Ishiki Labs) - AI Startup Profile | StartupHub.ai",
      "description": "This is the official profile of Fern (Formerly Ishiki Labs). Fern (Formerly Ishiki Labs) is a startup founded in 2023, operating in Deep Learning and Generative AI. Realtime AI that understands conversational context to assist when needed, starting with sales. Headquartered in San Francisco, United States. The company has approximately 2 employees.",
      "dateModified": "2026-07-20T09:44:14.218+00:00",
      "mainEntity": {
        "@id": "https://www.startuphub.ai/startups/fern-formerly-ishiki-labs#organization"
      }
    },
    {
      "@type": "Organization",
      "@id": "https://www.startuphub.ai/startups/fern-formerly-ishiki-labs#organization",
      "name": "Fern (Formerly Ishiki Labs)",
      "url": "https://fern.bot",
      "logo": "https://cdn.startuphub.ai/storage/v1/object/public/entity-images/logos/bfc6c983-8831-46f8-b03f-2212ccb36ee2-square.webp",
      "image": "https://cdn.startuphub.ai/storage/v1/object/public/entity-images/logos/bfc6c983-8831-46f8-b03f-2212ccb36ee2-square.webp",
      "description": "This is the official profile of Fern (Formerly Ishiki Labs). Fern (Formerly Ishiki Labs) is a startup founded in 2023, operating in Deep Learning and Generative AI. Realtime AI that understands conversational context to assist when needed, starting with sales. Headquartered in San Francisco, United States. The company has approximately 2 employees.",
      "sameAs": [
        "https://www.startuphub.ai/startups/fern-formerly-ishiki-labs"
      ],
      "foundingDate": "2023-05-01",
      "numberOfEmployees": {
        "@type": "QuantitativeValue",
        "value": 2
      },
      "address": {
        "@type": "PostalAddress",
        "addressLocality": "San Francisco",
        "addressCountry": "US"
      },
      "knowsAbout": [
        "Deep Learning",
        "Generative AI",
        "Voice AI",
        "Conversational AI",
        "Realtime Voice",
        "Agentic AI",
        "AI Agent",
        "Speech Recognition",
        "Speech-to-Text",
        "Contact Center AI",
        "Sales Tech",
        "Multimodal AI"
      ]
    },
    {
      "@type": "Product",
      "@id": "https://www.startuphub.ai/startups/fern-formerly-ishiki-labs#profile-assessment",
      "name": "Fern (Formerly Ishiki Labs) - StartupHub.ai Profile Assessment",
      "url": "https://www.startuphub.ai/startups/fern-formerly-ishiki-labs",
      "image": "https://cdn.startuphub.ai/storage/v1/object/public/entity-images/logos/bfc6c983-8831-46f8-b03f-2212ccb36ee2-square.webp",
      "category": "Deep Learning",
      "description": "This is the official profile of Fern (Formerly Ishiki Labs). Fern (Formerly Ishiki Labs) is a startup founded in 2023, operating in Deep Learning and Generative AI. Realtime AI that understands conversational context to assist when needed, starting with sales. Headquartered in San Francisco, United States. The company has approximately 2 employees. Agent Readiness score: 44/100. Full audit: https://www.startuphub.ai/startups/fern-formerly-ishiki-labs/agent-readiness",
      "brand": {
        "@type": "Brand",
        "name": "Fern (Formerly Ishiki Labs)"
      },
      "review": {
        "@type": "Review",
        "author": {
          "@type": "Organization",
          "name": "StartupHub.ai"
        },
        "datePublished": "2026-07-20",
        "name": "Fern (Formerly Ishiki Labs) - Profile Score 54/100",
        "reviewBody": "This is the official profile of Fern (Formerly Ishiki Labs). Fern (Formerly Ishiki Labs) is a startup founded in 2023, operating in Deep Learning and Generative AI. Realtime AI that understands conversational context to assist when needed, starting with sales. Headquartered in San Francisco, United States. The company has approximately 2 employees. Agent Readiness score: 44/100. Full audit: https://www.startuphub.ai/startups/fern-formerly-ishiki-labs/agent-readiness",
        "reviewRating": {
          "@type": "Rating",
          "ratingValue": 54,
          "bestRating": 100,
          "worstRating": 0
        }
      }
    }
  ]
}
```