Startups in Japan
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129)
Fri 2008/03/14 08:32
It gives me great pleasure in announcing that Hector Garcia has joined Mirai Inc as our Chief Technologist.
Hector brings to Mirai many years of technical experience and know-how on delivering high traffic sites like Technorati and Kakaku.com at the Digital Garage Group.
Before he left Digital Garage, he launched the Hyobans digital news blog portal which has gained millions of page views within a short time.
Prior to Digital Garage, Hector lead projects as an engineer at Asahi Kasei and CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research). For those who dont know, this is where the Word Wide Web was born.
In his spare time, Hector enjoys gaming on his Wii, taking photos around Tokyo and is currently reading the Haruhi novel and catching up on his Haruhi anime watching. And when Hector is not reading books - he's writing them. Hector's first publication will be released in April entitled "A geek in Japan" - will initially be in Spanish.
Hector brings to Mirai many years of technical experience and know-how on delivering high traffic sites like Technorati and Kakaku.com at the Digital Garage Group.
Before he left Digital Garage, he launched the Hyobans digital news blog portal which has gained millions of page views within a short time.
Prior to Digital Garage, Hector lead projects as an engineer at Asahi Kasei and CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research). For those who dont know, this is where the Word Wide Web was born.
In his spare time, Hector enjoys gaming on his Wii, taking photos around Tokyo and is currently reading the Haruhi novel and catching up on his Haruhi anime watching. And when Hector is not reading books - he's writing them. Hector's first publication will be released in April entitled "A geek in Japan" - will initially be in Spanish.
The typical startup
I talk about the reasons why I set up Mirai Inc in this article but today I thought this would be a good opportunity to talk a bit about how the company has progressed nearly a year after startup.*Most* startups follow the same pattern:-
- 1. A need is identified and a company/site is created to fulfill that need by creating a service or product. The end goal is to gain value by fulfilling that need and then sell the company.
- 2. Venture capital is acquired from investors.
- 3. Capital is used to hire staff (engineers/marketing/product managers etc). Capital is also used to buy/rent office, furniture and equipment needed for daily operations.
- 4. Company either sinks or swims - if it sinks, the owners will probably try to sell it off.
- 5. Company is swimming rather well and is acquiring value regardless of whether its making money. A web company can be valued at the amount of registered users it has for example.
- 6. Company is valued at 10 million dollars - the owner sells.
- 7. Repeat steps 1 through 6.
Mirai Inc the startup
While there is absolutely nothing wrong with the above, I set up Mirai Inc for different reasons - none of the reasons being "set-up-company-with-goal-of-selling-it."One of the main reasons for setting up the company is because I look at the reality of how short life is. Theres not much of it left no matter how old/young we are and we should make the best of it by doing what we enjoy the most.
Unfortunately, just living the rest of our lives enjoying ourself is not realistic because of our economic commitments - we still need to pay the rent and feed ourselves - the first two layers in Maslow's hierarchy of needs.
But what if we can fulfill those economic commitments and have fun at the same time? This is possible through working in a field that one is passionate about - thats what Mirai Inc is about. It's a business entity which allows us to do what we love and know best - building large scale web platforms. Most of our clients are in the figure, anime and eroge industry which makes what we do even more fun.
Mirai Inc the first year
So what has the first year been like for Mirai Inc? As I talked before, I've always had other forms of income while I was serving at Amazon and Microsoft and you can read all the reasons why it's dangerous to have only one form of income.Since Mirai Inc started up as a business, I've been approached by several investors offering X million dollars of investment but have declined all offers for these reasons.
I was running the company from savings made through affiliate earnings (Amazon, Google Adsense etc) and from the monies I gained through side projects while I was a salary man. Up until Hector joined, It was my wife as Finance Director, my developers who sit overseas and myself.
The first year was spent mostly on consulting for other internet startups, building up the client base and of course working on this site. Not only does this site enable me to publish subjects that I'm passionate about, it also brings in money through advertising, affiliate earnings and also brings in much business client too. The most important thing however is that it enables me to meet other Japan/otaku who are thousands of miles away in different countries. I learn a lot about your region through your participation and hope that other members feel the same. Its also great to meet up and connect with readers too.
Mirai Inc the mission
The mission has changed just a little since I started the company. Before the company was set up, I was building different solutions for different clients. So company "Moo" gets a website made just for "Moo," company "Boo" gets a website just for "Boo." This is how a typical web development solution company operates and can only scale by adding more staff to maintain what could lead to hundreds of websites all running different code.
Mirai Gaia
Using knowledge gained from my years at Amazon, I decided take all the platforms that I previously developed and merge them into one platform called Mirai Gaia. Now all clients get the same platform but is flexible enough to adapt to many different client needs.The diagram below shows how Carrot (consumer generated/SNS), Nav2.0 (blog publishing) and Gaia (e-commerce) merge to form the Mirai Gaia platform.
Mirai Gaia consists of the Client and Core. The Client is a directory where clients update their skeleton files and CSS. Its also where all the consumer generated media is kept. All this is separated from the Core. The Core is where all the functionality of the platform lives.
What we do at Mirai Inc is push updates to the Core directory on each of our clients servers - a bit like how you get updates to your Windows or Mac OSX - leaving your personal files and settings intact.
This model means that we can maintain hundreds (thousands) of websites running on the platform with the minimal amount of staff and cost.
This is also great for the clients too as it means they constantly get updates to their website which improve the user experience.
Mirai Gaia is initially being licensed to Japanese corporations.
Due to the unexpectedly high number of requests to be on the platform, taking time out to move office has been put on hold - we decided to continue to work out of my house until we complete a few major launches this year. We moved from the 3rd floor down to bigger space on the first floor and this is how it went.
Pic of the office that my wife and I shared.
Pic of the office that my wife and I shared.
The glass tables are from good ol Ikea - going back tonite to get some more glass shelves for the figures and Gundams.
Just some of the lovely cables. Waiting for an age when everything is wireless. You is being having a load of cables all over the place?
Kitchen/dining room full of junk.
Third floor clear of tables.
Back room on the first floor fitted with some Ikea carpet which you saw earlier on here.
Making holes in the wall for the glass (Ikea) white board.
The office as of yesterday - getting a glass shelf to stick above the glass whiteboard. Going to have a light above that and figures on display.
Hector at the controls. Dell gave us a business account and while I wouldn't buy another Dell computer again in my life, the monitors are pretty decent - this 20" wide screen @ about 1400px wide was about 200 USD.
Looking through my site stats I see that 40% of dannychoo.com readers are viewing the site through a 1280x1024 display. You is be using which resolution screen and which brand is you a recommending?
Looking through my site stats I see that 40% of dannychoo.com readers are viewing the site through a 1280x1024 display. You is be using which resolution screen and which brand is you a recommending?
Theres more room in the new office for figures which is great!
Figures help relax and stimulate the mind ^^;
We've had many queries about jobs at Mirai. I will announce positions for full time, part time and internships when we move to a larger office.
The new up n coming design of dannychoo.com...
Not.
The screenshot below is of the fi...(more)
Thu 02/21 03:23 comments (89)
Quality, not Quantity
I was looking for information on using CSS instead of tables (as o...(more)
Thu 07/21 13:18 comments (27)
Good luck Danny ! Seems like you have everything under controle !
(ID #155610) Posted on 2008/03/13 18:00
Firstly : congratulations for your success. I like the way your business goes. Secondly : I wish I would work for Mirai Inc ^_^. Thirdly: You rock Danny!
(ID #155614) Posted on 2008/03/13 18:17
Web Developer/ウェブデベロッパー, Photographer/写真や
I remember how the 3rd floor looked like. Nostalgic ^^; Haven't had the time to congratulate Hector on his joining into Mirai Inc but remembered he mentioned it on his blog. Eagerly waits for positions to be opened ^^; *Continue to polish skills* Need more stormtroopers in the office LOL
(ID #155618) Posted on 2008/03/13 18:30
Otaku/Computer tech/Student
Wow, just wow. I absolutely love where your going with your company, I wish I could work for Mirai >.< lol, ah well, it'll be a while before I can even move to Japan, still have to learn a bunch of programming languages too :p. Congratulations though Danny, you really seem to have everything set up how you want it, both figuratively and literally speaking. Btw, I'm using a widescreen Hanns-G 1440x900 mac res. I keep it on 1024x768 though (because of a specific MMO I play that requires it =/). As for good screens, I trust maximum PC ratings, don't know if you have heard of it or get it over there but it's a computer magazine, they test and rate a lot of hardware and such and so far I've seen only good fair ratings, they have the reviews up on their website (along with PDF files of their mag, don't even have to pay for it :D), maximumpc.com, so you might want to take a look at what they rate as the best in monitors (and other hardware, at that) :p.
(ID #155619) Posted on 2008/03/13 18:32
pepsi??? (Registered on 2007/09/29 21:48)
congrats and gud luck on ur business venture danny... all of us here support you
(ID #155620) Posted on 2008/03/13 18:39
Online Shop
I wish I had goal and determination like you have 10 years ago, Danny. But I don't think it's too late and I gotta work hard as well. Keep up the good work and I'll try to do the same ^_^b
(ID #155621) Posted on 2008/03/13 18:39
WebDesign, Coding, Administration
Congratulations Danny and Hector, hope your business goes well and more up. Your office looks way better then mine *envy again* :p, wouldn't be allowed such a thing. And even though i can code better with my iPod in my ears and some anime music - thats a secret thing to do too. Without it i would be far behind my deadlines though, the webdesign business sure can suck. Go on with keeping us up-to-date about how Mirai Inc. does, i myself would never be able to do what you did but i like to watch the progress. :)
(ID #155622) Posted on 2008/03/13 18:43
way to go danny. really enjoyed your site dont really have a new monitor so i cant recommend. currently using a dell monitor from employee purchase - 17in lcd for around USD90++
(ID #155624) Posted on 2008/03/13 18:44
Good luck Danny seems like everything is going great, so wish i could work for you. As for screen resolution i use 19" wide screen monitors at work and at home so have my res set to 1440px wide.
(ID #155626) Posted on 2008/03/13 18:47
Raven, AMV & MAD maker, Otaku
your not the only one who wants to work with danny tibul [_[ LOL anyways things are looking and becoming greater everysecond for danny now XD
(ID #155627) Posted on 2008/03/13 18:49
Pianist, Writer, Teacher
Congratulations on everything...quite inspiring. As a side note...1280x800.
(ID #155630) Posted on 2008/03/13 18:55
Just wow. I love all the hard work you're putting into your company. Looks like everything is going exactly as planned! Keep up the amazing work. And I'd also like to take a few seconds and congratulate Hector on joining Mirai Inc; CONGRATS!~ :DDDD Your new office is looking awesome, by the way. I love how you set up your figures and stuff. Though I am going to miss your other office, haha. XD
(ID #155632) Posted on 2008/03/13 19:03
Danny, your force is really unstoppable! I is feelz that power through my monitor. ^_- Good luck both to you and Hector! btw, I like cables, not a fan of wireless for some reason. Cables are fast and nice ^^;
(ID #155638) Posted on 2008/03/13 19:09
website designer (currently assist. graphic designer)
Oh yay~! Congrats to you guys on a new working relationship! *pops the champagne bottle*~ Danny, I wish you all the best in the following years for your business, family and new relationships (along with figurine collecting, trooper films etc *fufufu~* ^_~) As for the poll, I is being 1280x1024 =D on an old CRT Viewmaster D=, forgot what company. I'm using CRT 'cause I'm saving up for Japan in Oct (squee~ hope to see you!) and I like to see my colours from all angles (designer I am~). Sign me up for a position! ;D
(ID #155639) Posted on 2008/03/13 19:10
ColdFusion Developer
Over the months since I started working, maintaining a core system is much easier than maintaining several custom coded web applications. But recently there have been add-on modules where some may be used in many other applications, but still have to be modified to an extent. I hope one day I can just have a simple core based web application to maintain at work rather than having to juggle between 3-10 different projects using different systems. Also I'd definitely be interested any job positions at Mirai Inc.
(ID #155642) Posted on 2008/03/13 19:14
Secondary Student~
GOGOGO Danny!~ hope to hear more good news about Mirai Inc ^^ I wonder if Danny actually clean his figures.. or are they already growing fur o.O
(ID #155644) Posted on 2008/03/13 19:22
Your life seems so much fun. Really inspiring, Danny. ~Waxing dolphins and Entrepreneurship... Ah, such is life.~
(ID #155645) Posted on 2008/03/13 19:23
anything a guy overseas can do for an hour a day to help :D
(ID #155650) Posted on 2008/03/13 19:50
Test Engineer
I guesss this is the 1st time I saw Hector's face after like, lurking here for months
(ID #155655) Posted on 2008/03/13 20:15
Administrative Assistant
I just got myself a new used 19" brick of a monitor so I havn't really set anything resolution-wise yet. Maily because I also got a new/used graphics card but my processor and Memory do not seem to like it. And congrats as well Danny. Seeing you take off like this is always an inspiration to those of us still wandering somewhat aimlessly about. (Well, at least to me)
(ID #155656) Posted on 2008/03/13 20:21
Student, Spiral Warrior
Keep rockin'. Any chance there will ever be a "civilian" version of the Mirai Gaia platform, for individual use, available?
(ID #155657) Posted on 2008/03/13 20:22
Deathseeker
First of all, congratulations (like half the other comments have said) to Mirai and your progress Danny. It sure is difficult to pull off something like that and I respect the amount of work you put in. <p>Secondly, Hector was at CERN wow. CERN is big. I am surprised none of the others here talked about that. Way to go Hector. Not sure if you were actually part of the team that dealt with the experiments at CERN, but if you were, maybe you could share something with us. I would be most interested to know. <p>Lastly, yea, if there was a way to work for DC.com that I could help out in, I would not mind. <p>PS: The paragraph tag better work, otherwise this is going to end up some messy comment post.
(ID #155659) Posted on 2008/03/13 20:41
Deathseeker
Ok, so it did not work. Maybe you could come up with a way to edit our comments so if anything cropped up instead of double posting we might be able to correct our mistakes, Danny. Just a thought. :)
(ID #155660) Posted on 2008/03/13 20:43
Nameless company executive
Lovely stuff, Danny. As someone who was a part of the foundation of the present company I work at, there is something to be said about the enjoyment of running a start-up. Now if only I had more time to work on our neglected website... ^^;
(ID #155662) Posted on 2008/03/13 20:52
17 here -_-... anybody can explain what mirai.inc do? in a simple wording, since danny word is kinda confusing... i lost my mind every second i read it o, btw, if some1 can translated it to melayu or indonesian, thank u for the effort
(ID #155663) Posted on 2008/03/13 20:57
grats danny and hector! it's great that you're enjoying what you're doin.. all the best on the business.
(ID #155665) Posted on 2008/03/13 21:02
VF-25 Pilot. Universariate Scholar.
using a 19" dell. need to change to a widescreen soon. Grats on getting Hector on your team. Hope all goes well for Mirai Inc.
(ID #155666) Posted on 2008/03/13 21:06
Student and Miku Guardian
It seems that your office is practically filled with figs.. I wished my room is filled with those.. I hope I get to work in Mirai Inc. .. :) Your workplace looks so cool..
(ID #155667) Posted on 2008/03/13 21:07
Software Developer
Congratulation Danny & Hector. So that's how you're displaying your Melissa figure without the pumpkin... mmhh should I buy a figma just for the display? ^^; It's not surprising you've had so many queries about jobs. And I must admit reading that you will announce positions is stimulating ^^
(ID #155669) Posted on 2008/03/13 21:16
I'm running 1680 by 1050 on an Acer 22" screen. Works very well. As for startups, I plan to start my own shop when I've worked for a little while and got some start up funds. My home city is lacking a good shop for anime/manga/figures and I plan on fixing that!
(ID #155670) Posted on 2008/03/13 21:19
marvin (Registered on 2006/12/24 23:42)
congratulations Danny and Hector. wish mirai inc the best and more power. ^^ about screen resolution, mine is 1366x768. as for recommendations, I'd recommend using a Sony SDM-HS95. I've been using it on my desktop for 2 or 3 years now, its still nice and bright, brighter than even some of my brand new lcd monitor back at the office.
(ID #155676) Posted on 2008/03/13 21:35
Physical Therapy student
I'm sure this company will do well. From this site alone you can tell that Danny is a talented and persevering kind of guy. Just stop yourself from buying too many figures Danny T__T ..hehe I hope your company will last for a very long long time..^^
(ID #155678) Posted on 2008/03/13 21:38
very well done Danny...^^ *applause... good luck with mirai
(ID #155679) Posted on 2008/03/13 21:41
nanu (Registered on 2007/12/28 21:40)
The best part of widescreen is that you can reasonably use vertical/columnar UIs, such as web browser tabs in a sidebar. To this end, the websites for me remain the same—pages aren't viewed any wider. I bought mine last year and got 2 low-resolution ones (2x1440x900). Newer high resolutions nearly exceed my total (1920x1200 and up) so would likely be different to my bias here.
(ID #155681) Posted on 2008/03/13 21:45
Great stuff. I'm excited for you guys. I'm working on building my own business for the same personal reasons. Since I'm so early in the process, though, it's exciting to see you find such success. One day I'd be curious to read your personal thoughts on networking/making contacts.
(ID #155682) Posted on 2008/03/13 21:45
University Marketing & Asian Business Tutor
Congratulations on a great first year with Mirai. Looking forward eagerly to when you'll start expanding the business and taking on new staff. Your company sounds like exactly the kind of thing I was hoping to get involved in back when I was still doing my undergraduate. In answer to the poll, I'm viewing this on a 17' Acer laptop monitor at 1280x1024. Not very fancy, but it gets the job done.
(ID #155689) Posted on 2008/03/13 22:51
anime/cosplay events organizer
congrats to Hector for being Mirai Inc. chief technologist ^^ i'm also building my own business with the same reasons but i guess i have a long way to go to reach that goal ^^;;; i'm currently building contacts and creating networks ^^ your entry on making more out of life has inspired me to make more from mine and reach my dreams and go further ^^
(ID #155691) Posted on 2008/03/13 22:53
Congratulations Danny and Hector! Wish you all the best with Mirai Inc.! If I had better knowledge of web design / web programming languages, you bet I would have asked about an internship. But I mostly code in application and scripting languages (C, C++, Java, Python, Tcl/Tk etc.). My resolution is 1280x1024 and I'm using a Sony SDM-X73. But my recommendation would be Eizo monitors. They are bit expensive though.
(ID #155692) Posted on 2008/03/13 22:53
Student
Good luck with the company! As for monitor resolution, I've been using an AOC 19" wide screen at 1440x900 px, and it's been pretty good to me so far.
(ID #155695) Posted on 2008/03/13 22:59
Que tengais toda la suerte del mundo tu y hertor,que envidia me dais!!!!!
(ID #155697) Posted on 2008/03/13 23:04
Student
!! Jobs! Internships! *__*
(ID #155699) Posted on 2008/03/13 23:11
Otaku/Gadgeteer/Deadman
I'll be working on your company through outside japan someday... but that someday would never come.
(ID #155721) Posted on 2008/03/13 23:50
Congrats on yr company! :)
(ID #155722) Posted on 2008/03/13 23:51
Congrats and good luck to you boss D. and to Boss G. Get well to your company and try your best to create some great things for be the perfect.. I have my business doing well to help my mother and then for the others as well.
(ID #155731) Posted on 2008/03/14 00:01
student/ programmer and web developer in the training
Woo congratulations on the success of Mirai inc. New office space looks great but why o why is he put his mac on a breeze block????? Is he crazy?
(ID #155743) Posted on 2008/03/14 00:34
Student and full-time otaku
Great that the company is doing so well Danny, keep it up. I have no web-dev experience whatsoever but if you need an engineer within the next year I'm happy to do an internship XD. Oh and I'm still on a measly 1024x768 15" Dell ToT, need to get me some new equipment
(ID #155744) Posted on 2008/03/14 00:34
