Operating the generative AI marketplace “OneGai” and aiming for business expansion in the Gen AI field
Recently, D-POPS GROUP made an investment in fluctlight inc., a company developing services in the generative AI space, and we have begun walking together as fellow members of our Venture Ecosystem.
☆The press release regarding our investment in fluctlight inc. is here: https://d-pops-group.co.jp/en/column/fluctlight/
For this article, we interviewed Yuji Nakagawa, CEO and founder of fluctlight inc., to learn the story behind his company's founding and his vision for the generative AI business.
① What was the impetus for founding your company?
Last year, I was helping a friend with their business as a CMO, but after an M&A, things settled down. I wanted to launch a new startup, so I began exploring business areas. I aimed to create a scalable business that leveraged my strengths. Initially, I was considering a completely different field, but after consulting with others, I received advice that the generative AI space would be a good fit. That’s when I decided to launch a business in generative AI.
② Please give us a brief summary of your services.
We operate “OneGai”, a platform where individual AI developers can monetize their AI creations. We’re building a system that allows users to package and sell chatbots developed with tools like ChatGPT, or creations made with no-code development tools like Dify. It also enables the publication and monetization of games created with Claude Artifacts. Furthermore, we are developing “Gen AI-linked advertising”, a system that delivers ads in conjunction with the content generated by AI.
☆Gen AI Marketplace “OneGai”
https://www.one-gai.ai/
③ What makes your company superior to similar companies?
Adam D’Angelo, CEO of Quora, is doing something similar with Poe in the US, but I feel that very few companies specialize in empowering creators to monetize their work. At our company, we want to do what other people and other companies aren’t doing to create new value.
④ What has been your biggest challenge since starting this company?
Founding a company based on the topic of generative AI has itself been the greatest challenge. I’ve launched various businesses and experienced many successes and failures in the past, always starting with a problem to solve and then devising solutions. However, this time, starting with generative AI as a technology-driven venture was difficult. Also, I generally dislike building businesses based on trends, but generative AI has become a trend now, so I personally find it tough to proceed in such a noisy environment.
⑤ What do you most expect from your shareholders?
I don’t hold many expectations specifically, but many of our shareholders have extensive business experience. They are all individuals who have launched businesses multiple times in the past or are currently managing companies. As a result, when I consult them on business matters, their advice carries significant weight. They have a wide range of policy ideas, and they’ve introduced us to various people and companies.
⑥ What is the best part of receiving investment from D-POPS GROUP?
The most tangible benefits have been forming strong bonds with people and boosting our company’s credibility. I’ve learned a lot about the perspective and mindset needed to become the CEO of a large company from President Goto. I’ve also learned about work methodologies from Advisor Sugihara, whom I met when I joined Google as a new graduate and who is now on D-POPS GROUP’s advising team. I am so truly grateful for these connections. Furthermore, the way our company is perceived by friends and other companies has changed positively in terms of credibility.
⑦ What aspects of “realizing a Venture Ecosystem” resonate with you?
Japan is facing a declining birthrate and aging population, with the population expected to continue decreasing for the next 100 years. This means fewer customers, smaller markets, and scarcer human resources, managers included. In light of this situation, I consider that launching startup companies and ensuring their survival will require different approaches from those in the past. I feel that it will be crucial for entrepreneurs to dedicate themselves towards continuing to grow via building up businesses that can improve people’s lives and adopting new initiatives in order for their businesses to survive. Additionally, I like it when individuals work selflessly to make society better, so to put it simply, if the number of systems that support such people increases, that would make me happy.
⑧ What is your ideal vision for the company 10 years from now?
I want it to be a company that actively contributes to society and is so essential that even if someone wanted to shut it down, they wouldn’t be able to. Furthermore, I hope that even 100 years from now, companies like that will still be surviving in Japan. Also, members of the so-called “Generation Alpha” will be entering the workforce in the next 10 years. I want our company to be one where upcoming generations would want to work, with diversified work styles such as independent work or freelance.
⑨ What challenges do you foresee in achieving that future?
The challenge will be to continue working with strong aspiration and enthusiasm. To achieve great things, support from those around you is critical. I want to be the kind of person who always makes those around me feel like they want to help or support me.
⑩ Any closing comments you’d like to briefly share?
I’d like to conclude with a quote from Den Fujita (the well-respected entrepreneur who brought McDonald’s to Japan). “The ordinary eye does not see; open your mind’s eye. Opportunities are always in your path.” In this era of constant big changes, whenever something happens right in front of me, instead of thinking about it in a simplistic way, I want to make sure that I’m mentally prepared to consider it as an opportunity.
fluctlight inc.
Company President and CEO: Yuji Nakagawa
Address: Shiroyama Trust Tower 27F | 4-3-1 Toranomon, Minato Ward, Tokyo
Headquarters: 548 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94104
Established: 28 April 2023
Website: https://fluctlight.ai/
