Tokyo Startonomics – Kris Tate (BlueBridge)

Kris Tate – American entrepreneur living in Tokyo

- Started Zooomr 4 yrs ago
- 1.5 yrs ago started BlueBridge – located in Harajuku part of Tokyo
- 3 months ago:  launched AM6
  - first mail service that allows you to get exactly what you want, delivered when you want it, to your phone
  - up to 40k users daily active users already
  - launched this in Japan for 3 reasons:

  1. best mobile infrastructure in the world
  2. foreign entrepreneurs are rare (better press coverage for them)
  3. Japan is an economy looking for an answer on how to get into the service economy (they’ve been heavily mfg) 

Q: Why are foreign (US) companies failing to enter the Japanese market?
A: It’s about the relationships and introduction here in Japan than about the service.  BlueBridge can help with that.

Q: What are some of the downsides / difficulties in the Japanese market?
A: Image – foreigners don’t understand the culture.  

Q: AM6 – how are you monetizing?
A: Premium content and ads

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