From University to IPO: My Entrepreneurial Journey

Introduction: Koki's Path

Hello, I'm Koki Takahashi, a passionate entrepreneur living in Japan. My academic journey in service design at university was more than just academics; it laid the foundation for a career that integrates product design with enriching service experiences. This led to the co-founding of AVILEN Inc. during my graduate studies, which has been a significant part of my journey. I have already retired from AVILEN Inc. in 2022 and am sharing this story based on past experience.

A Glimpse into AVILEN Inc.

Established in 2018 and listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 2023, AVILEN Inc. plays a crucial role in advancing AI integration in Japanese business. I have been engaged in the company's overall branding and product sales.

The Purpose of This Article

Through this article, I aim to convey my experiences as an entrepreneur in Japan and explore possibilities for business expansion beyond borders. I'm eager to connect with like-minded individuals, so feel free to reach out on my LinkedIn.

The Founding Story: Four Stages of Evolution

Stage 1: Sparking the Idea

Our story started with a simple desire: to create a job that was more meaningful and lucrative than part-time student work.

Stage 2: Securing Our First Corporate Deal

I'll discuss the strategic acquisition of our initial clients, a crucial step in our journey.

Stage 3: Scaling New Heights

This stage is about growth and satisfaction, expanding our business while keeping our clients happy.

Stage 4: The Leap to Sale and IPO

I'll delve into the exciting journey towards the sale of our company and its eventual IPO.

Chapter 1: The Beginning of Our Educational Venture

We began with a blog explaining statistics in an easy-to-understand manner. Our blog, which broke down complex university subjects like statistics, Python programming, and R language into digestible content, amassed over 300 articles and 200,000 monthly visits, mainly from science students and professional engineers. Feeling the potential, we aimed even higher.

Chapter 2: Expanding Our Educational Reach

Realizing the success of our blog, we ventured into face-to-face teaching, providing classes for diverse audiences, including busy professionals and dedicated housewives. We rented small rooms that could accommodate around 10 people and sold 3-hour classes at about $40 each.

The Power of Personal Connection

We held classes daily and always engaged in post-class discussions with our clients. By listening to their reasons for studying and their professional goals, we tailored our materials to meet their specific needs.

Building a Robust Educational Framework

With the assistance of student interns, we created slides for about 100 courses over three months and conducted over 40 lectures each month. Our dedication to education and consistent pursuit of excellence solidified our reputation. Earning around $10,000 a month, it was a substantial amount for us as students.

Coming Up: Chapter 2 - Securing Our First Corporate Deal

In the next chapter of our journey, I'll share the story of how we secured our first corporate transaction. It's a tale of strategy, persistence, and the power of relationship-building in business.