Hupo, a leadership coaching platform, is making waves by helping managers develop leadership skills and build effective teams. Co-founded by Beknazar Abdikamalov from Tashkent, the startup successfully raised $4 million, including investments from Meta.
The Beginning
Hipo’s story began during the COVID-19 pandemic. While working at Amazon in Vancouver, Beknazar was approached by his former colleague, Justin Kim, with an idea: a simple platform that allowed employees to connect directly with psychologists. At a time when stress levels were at their peak, the idea was not only timely but also highly promising.
With a shared passion for psychology, Beknazar immediately agreed to join the project. The two quit their jobs to fully focus on the venture. They named the platform Ami, meaning “friend” in Japanese, emphasizing simplicity and accessibility. Together, they built a web app that allowed employees to book calls with psychologists—a straightforward solution that quickly gained traction.
Pivoting to Leadership Coaching
In the early days, the platform saw success in the Asia-Pacific region, launching pilot programs with major companies in Indonesia and Singapore. However, after a year of operations, the team realized that workplace stress often stemmed from issues with management. This insight led to a major pivot: the company rebranded as Hupo (short for “Human Potential”) and shifted its focus to leadership coaching. The new mission was to help managers develop skills that would improve team dynamics and overall company performance.
Target Market
Hupo targets companies that want to invest in developing their managers. While it works across industries, the platform has seen the most success in banking, FinTech, and aviation. Its clients include high-profile brands like Sephora, Oracle, Grab, KPMG, and Fujifilm. Hupo’s programs directly improve leadership skills, which leads to stronger team performance and business outcomes.
Accelerators and Funding
Hupo’s focus on creating a valuable product and building strong client relationships has resulted in significant funding:
• $1 million Pre-seed round from January Capital, Collaborative Fund, and Strong Ventures.
• $3 million Seed round.
Within two months of launching, the startup secured its first $1 million and signed contracts with two major companies after successful pilot programs.
Achievements
- Funding Milestone: $4 million raised from leading global funds.
- Notable Partnership: Meta became its first major backer.
- Industry Recognition: Listed on Forbes’ “100 to Watch.”
Challenges and Key Lessons
While the pandemic initially drove demand for mental health solutions, the team soon realized that tackling the root cause—poor management—was essential for scaling the business. This shift in focus proved to be the turning point.
Beknazar offers three key lessons for entrepreneurs:
- Solve real problems for customers. Avoid wasting time on unnecessary features.
- Focus on product development and sales—everything else is secondary.
- Start with a specific audience, succeed there, and then scale.
Looking Ahead
Hupo is currently working on an AI-powered coaching tool designed to provide personalized leadership training. The product is already being tested with major companies and is expected to drive significant growth for the startup.
Hupo’s journey demonstrates how understanding customer needs, building a focused team, and adapting to challenges can transform an idea into a global success story.
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