What's the name of your startup?

Our company is Groovenauts, Inc.

What does your startup do?

Groovenauts is a tech company focused on democratizing Machine Learning. Our cloud service, MAGELLAN BLOCKS, makes it so that anybody can analyze and process Machine Learning data by simply connecting on-screen blocks. Another core aspect of our business at Groovenauts is our "Play-With-Tech" afterschool program for children.

What do you think about Fukuoka's startup community?

Having this kind of community must be a great help to those looking to start a business. I think it's wonderful.

Why did you choose Fukuoka?

I have the experience of starting a company in Tokyo and listing it in 3 years. At the time, I thought that Tokyo was the center of business, but I came to feel that people's emotions, loves, passions, and very humanity are stifled by the economic rationality that dominates the city. We built our business to solve the problems of society, and not for economic reasons. With that in mind, I thought that we would be better able to run a business where people can maintain their humanity in a lively city like Fukuoka.

What problem are you trying to solve?

Machine Learning is one of today’s most innovative technologies, but only a handful of companies are really making use of it in their business activities. Even then, most of these companies merely using systems that they paid expensive consulting fees to have experts build.

Here at Groovenauts, we are aiming to democratize Machine Learning, making its incredible potential accessible to all. We’re developing services for a future in which everyone—regardless of their industry, business, or occupation—can easily make use of Machine Learning. That’s because we believe true innovation doesn’t happen when a technology is first developed, but when it reaches the hands of many.

How has Fukuoka City helped your startup?

This includes attending SLUSH, but I feel that Fukuoka City has helped us by being proactive about providing an environment and opportunities for businesses here to compete on the global stage.

Do you have advice for people considering doing a startup in Fukuoka? Anything you wish you’d known before starting your company here?

If anything, I'd recommend that anyone considering starting a company in Tokyo think about Fukuoka instead!