Fiksal (Lehi, UT) is a SaaS tool that improves digital communication by identifying unclear or harmful language in real-time. Founded in 2022 by Dr. Krista Andersen, it helps users prevent misunderstandings, legal risks, and interpersonal conflicts.
In the bustling world of tech startups, Lehi-based Fiksal stands out with its innovative SaaS tool designed to enhance communication clarity. Fiksal is a tool that evaluates written communications, ensuring clarity and preventing misunderstandings. By analyzing text, it provides real-time insights and suggestions for improvement.
Dr. Krista Andersen, CEO and Founder of Fiksal, told TechBuzz in an interview how she came up with the name, Fiksal. “The name came because I thought about what companies have names that don’t mean anything initially, but they eventually became something that people know, like Google, Xerox, Kleenex…I didn’t want it to rhyme with anything that would be offensive…I thought about Latin root words…” Then she thought, “What is the purpose of Fix all?…it fixes all these communication-related issues, so why not call it exactly what it does?” She explained that there was no way to own the domain Fix All, so she spelled it F I K S A L.
Before founding Fiksal, Andersen worked as a communications mediator. “People often brought me their emails and text messages exchanged between them and the person they were mediating with. It was often that I saw communication mishaps on both sides that could have been avoided had they been more intentional with their words…” She noted her experience in mediating as it related to parents sending harsh messages to each other in places where children were involved.
She reflected, “If someone could intervene before these messages were sent, it could prevent conflicts and foster better relationships between parents and children.” After doing her research, Andersen could not find anything to solve this problem. “So I found a partner who was in the tech space, and we created a texting app, and this was 2019 when we built it, and were testing it.” Following a cancer diagnosis, Andersen paused development to study market trends across various sectors, including enterprise, government, entertainment, and social media. By analyzing the market, she noted the need for this technology on a larger scale.
“I made the decision at the end of 2022 that the problem was so much bigger than just the people I worked with in mediation who were texting, and so we pivoted to create enterprise software,” stated Andersen in an interview with TechBuzz.
CEO elaborated on how the SaaS product works. “What Fiksal does is evaluate and intervene in real-time on digital communication, and it's notifying the writer of anything that could create harm…like a passive-aggressive statement, all the way down to something that could land in the headlines or become a lawsuit.” Andersen describes it as a tool that “coaches and educates in the moment.”
In late 2024, Andersen brought on three new members of the team:
As far as the product goes, Fiksal is described as a SaaS tool that evaluates and intervenes in real-time on digital communication, protecting both the writer and the organization. The tool is currently available as a Chrome extension and will soon be available for download from the Google store.
Integrated into existing email platforms, Fiksal features a small icon that flags potential issues as users write. Critical issues are underlined, and a pop-up explains why the issue is problematic and suggests improvements. Users can accept the suggestions, click “Fix” to make the suggested changes, or click “Fix All” to apply the changes to the entire document.
The product is set to enter beta testing soon. Andersen reported, “Our early adopters and our beta users are going to help inform some of the sensitivity levels and then how we’re building our closed, large language models.”
Fiksal is seeking enterprise licensing. They will give a subscription for smaller companies and company licenses for larger ones. Also, they will have a B2C model available so people can have it on their phones for uses involving messaging, social media, and other communications.
They are also seeking to branch out to the education sector with their product. In this case, universities could purchase licenses for anyone with an .edu email. Andersen explained the benefits for students, “This would be able to help them understand what it means to work in a global society, how to engage in that global society, and how to write professionally.”
In addition to education, Andersen noted a potential partnership with Defy Ventures. Defy Ventures is a national program that helps individuals who are incarcerated develop leadership and entrepreneurial skills. Upon their release from prison, they can have meaningful work, start a business, find housing, and become leaders in the community. After a recent conversation, they are planning a 60-day free trial with Defy Ventures for all the graduates and mentors. Using this SaaS, users will have guidance in creating resumes, writing to prospective employers, and learning professional language to help them succeed.
Overall, Fiksal will be beneficial in numerous fields. It will provide a means of clarity in all forms of communication. Andersen concluded the interview by saying, “Fiksal addresses key aspects of digital citizenship, civic literacy, global awareness, and communication skills.” As the company goes to market, businesses and other sectors will have the opportunity to utilize it for enhancing their relationships within and outside of their individual operations.