Agora is a real-time communications technology company whose platform lets developers add voice, video, chat and interactive streaming to apps and other services. The company was founded by Bin (Tony) Zhao in November 2013 and began operating in 2014 through teams in California and Shanghai. Its principal executive offices are in Shanghai, with a second headquarters in Santa Clara, California.2
The platform is built around APIs and software development kits for real-time communication, alongside tools for developers who want to start with prebuilt interfaces or no-code and low-code options. Agora’s website describes a global network designed for low-latency interactions and lists products including video and voice calling, live streaming, chat, interactive whiteboards and signaling. It also presents conversational AI as a newer area of work, with tools intended to connect voice agents to different language models and speech services.2
The company’s focus is infrastructure rather than a single consumer-facing app: its services are designed to be embedded in products across mobile, web and other channels. In 2025, Agora reported 1,968 active customers for its Agora business, up 11.7% year over year, and said third-quarter revenue was $35.4 million. The company also reported four consecutive quarters of GAAP profitability at that time.12
Agora, Inc. operates two independent businesses: Agora, serving global markets from Santa Clara, and Shengwang, serving China from Shanghai. Tony Zhao remains the company’s founder, chairman and chief executive officer.1112