In this article we interviewed Yerzhan Karatayev and Yerkezhan Karatayeva — husband-and-wife business partners, Shibuya startup visa holders, and co-founders of Ringi, an AI relationship advice app for couples. Ringi was founded in 2022 with the goal of creating services and products specifically related to love and relationships. Their debut app allows couples to casually chat and ask questions about their relationship with an AI assistant. We interviewed them about their path to starting their own business in Shibuya, and their vision for the future.
Ringi Co-Founder & CEO,Yerzhan Karatayev and Business Manager & Co-Founder, Yerkezhan Karatayeva (Photo: Yerzhan Karatayev)
Please tell us about your entrepreneurial journey.
Yerzhan: My entrepreneurial journey began with inspiration from American founders like Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, and Steve Jobs when I studied at the university. My first startup experience was working remotely at a US startup, where I entered as a front-end engineer and quickly developed into full-stack. I’ve worked in various startups across different industries and markets, with one of the companies I co-founded featured on Forbes’ 30 under 30 North America list.
Yerkezhan: We actually co-founded our first company shortly after we both graduated from university; a location-based detective mystery game. After that, I worked in digital marketing for several companies around the world, as well as a stint as a journalist. Between the two of us we could cover a lot of skillsets, but when we decided to launch our next startup we realized we were lacking in the nuts-and-bolts of business administration, so I did an accelerated MBA program to make sure we had all of our bases covered.
Why did you choose Japan?
While traveling the world for six months with my wife, I received a job offer from a Japanese company, so we decided to take advantage of the opportunity.
We believe that Southeast Asia will soon become a competitive startup ecosystem, so we wanted to establish a presence in the region early, and capitalize on the emerging market.
How did your startup evolve since launch?
We have made significant progress. We are now officially incorporated in Japan, we’ve built a strong team with experienced advisors, and we’ve iterated our product through several pivots before finding what resonated with users. This led to the launch of a couples beta web app, singles mobile app, and continuous analysis to refine our products.
What kind of steps did you take to apply for a Shibuya Startup Visa?
We immersed ourselves in the Japanese startup ecosystem, actively following local communities and events. We learned about Shibuya Startup Support from one of the team leads on LinkedIn, where she provided insight on the application process. She provided valuable recommendations for preparing our documents, which we submitted to the Shibuya team. Within a week, we were invited for a video interview, and shortly after, we received confirmation of our selection for the support program and visa assistance.
Ringi Co-Founder & CEO,Yerzhan Karatayev and Business Manager & Co-Founder, Yerkezhan Karatayeva (Photo: Yerzhan Karatayev)
What are your next steps?
Our next steps include focusing on enhancing user engagement, increasing the number of paid users, and releasing the official version of our mobile app. We are also actively seeking investment and partnerships to accelerate our growth, expand our market reach, and create more value for our users.
Could you share a message for founders and startups who want to apply for Shibuya Startup Support or are simply interested in the Japanese market?
To founders and startups considering applying for Shibuya Startup Support or exploring the Japanese market, remember that building a startup in Japan can be quite different from other countries. Market dynamics, people’s behavior and interests, social norms, and investors can be unique. Having support programs like Shibuya Startup Support in the early stages can be immensely helpful. However, it’s crucial to understand that the level and type of support you receive depends on your initiative. Don’t hesitate to ask for help, connections, or advice. SSS has various teams that can offer diverse perspectives and support tailored to your needs. Embrace the challenge and leverage the resources available to thrive in the Japanese market.
If you are interested in the startup ecosystem and startup visas, please don’t hesitate to contact us, and follow us on social media to keep up-to-date on upcoming events!
More information on Ringi: https://ringi.ai/en
Social media accounts of Yerzhan Karatayev, Co-Founder & CEO of Ringi:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yerzhan-karatayev/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yerzhan.karatayev/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yerzhan.karatayev
More information on Shibuya’s Startup Visa program: https://shibuya-startup-support.jp/sws/
LinkedIn：https://www.linkedin.com/company/shibuya-startup-support/
Facebook：https://www.facebook.com/shibuya.startup.support
Twitter：https://twitter.com/ShibuyaStartup
Shibuya Bridge B-5,
1-29-3 Higashi, Shibuya City, Tokyo
JAPAN 150-0011
Shibuya Startup Support
