When hosting and managing online networking events or conferences, it’s crucial to create a sense of presence that keeps participants engaged while also minimizing disruptions and time loss during presentations. However, traditional web conferencing tools, which only show participants’ faces, fail to replicate the feeling of being at the event. On the other hand, event-specific platforms can be too complex, causing delays if some attendees are not tech-savvy.
To address this challenge, Adlib Works adopted VoicePing. We spoke with Kento Yamaoka, CEO of Adlib Works, and Yoriko Kuriyama, COO, to learn more about their experience and how VoicePing helped improve their online events.
Matching Founders at the Idea Stage: "triven" and Public-Private Collaboration with "Noroshi Startup HUB"
Could you start by telling us about your business?
Yamaoka: Our business operates in two main domains: startup support and new business development.
For startup support, we run a matching platform called “triven”, designed for individuals who have an idea but are unsure how to start a business. This platform connects people nationwide at the pre-seed stage—before the seed, early, middle, or later startup phases. By bringing together two to three like-minded individuals, we help transform ideas that might not progress alone into concrete projects.
Currently, triven has over 5,000 members, with approximately 400 projects posted on the platform.
When promising ideas emerge from triven, we step in as co-founders, providing investment and support in areas such as development funding, incorporation, and market expansion. To facilitate this, we operate “Noroshi Startup HUB,” a public-private startup studio.
Currently, we are supporting around 20 companies through this initiative.
Through these activities, we have accumulated extensive expertise in nurturing ideas at their earliest stages. As a result, we are now increasingly assisting established companies in developing new business ventures.
Choose VoicePing for Ease of Use Across All Literacy Levels
What led you to choose VoicePing?
Yamaoka: After COVID-19, Zoom became widely used, but one challenge it couldn’t fully address was creating a true networking space.
In our case, many of our projects begin with networking events. However, even when using Zoom’s breakout rooms, participants often found it difficult to engage in casual conversations.
We tried specialized online event tools and other virtual office platforms, but we noticed usability issues. Not all participants are highly tech-savvy. For example, some attendees are in their 50s and looking to restart their entrepreneurial journey, but navigating a virtual space can be challenging for them.
That’s when we discovered VoicePing. After trying it out, we found it easy to access, intuitive, and highly user-friendly. For instance, many virtual office tools don’t provide phonetic guides (furigana) under their buttons. While an icon-only design may look sleek, the reality is that many users frequently ask, “Where should I click?”
VoicePing, on the other hand, clearly labels buttons in Japanese, such as “Chat” and “Stop Video”, making it accessible to everyone and easier to manage events smoothly.
Smooth Event Management with High Customizability
Did VoicePing help resolve your challenges after implementation?
Kuriyama: Yes, it did. The platform is easy to use, and once participants enter VoicePing, they can freely and naturally engage in conversations. Unlike Zoom, VoicePing provides a sense of “being there,” making networking feel much more authentic.
Yamaoka: The high degree of customizability has also been a huge advantage. We can edit the floor background, place signboards, and make design adjustments instantly, allowing us to quickly bring our ideas to life.
Kuriyama: Absolutely. The flexibility of custom objects has been extremely helpful. Even if we couldn’t prepare certain elements in advance, we can easily add them on the spot during an event, which greatly enhances our ability to adapt in real time.
Adlib Works’ VoicePing Event Floor
How Did Participants Respond?
Kuriyama: When new participants join, we like to give them a tour of what VoicePing can do. The features that impress them the most are real-time transcription and translation.
Another fun aspect is that only nearby participants can hear each other, which allows for private conversations. When we explain this feature, it always gets people excited.
From an event management perspective, the recording feature is also extremely useful. If someone is unable to attend, we can simply inform them that they can download and watch the recorded session later from the admin panel. This has been a great help in making events more accessible.
Proving That Every Great Company Starts With an Idea
What are your future plans?
Yamaoka: We have three main directions for the future.
First, we want to increase the success stories of startups born from our platform. In the past, people often questioned us, asking, “What can really come out of gathering people at the idea stage?” But the truth is, every major startup today started with an idea. We want to prove that great businesses emerge from seemingly random ideas, and we’re already starting to see that happening.
Second, we aim to foster an environment where younger individuals can become familiar with entrepreneurship from an early age. Right now, most of the entrepreneurs we work with are in their 30s or older. However, if more middle school students start taking on entrepreneurial challenges, we believe this could help transform Japan’s low-growth working environment.
Finally, we plan to expand globally. We want to create an exchange system where international startups can connect with Japan, and Japanese startups can expand overseas. This could also play a role in addressing global demographic challenges, such as aging populations and declining birth rates.
About VoicePing
VoicePing allows up to five users to access all features for free. If you’re interested, feel free to give it a try!
VoicePing Home Page: https://voice-ping.com/en/