Gurunavi

In 1996, while the internet was still in its relative infancy, Hisao Taki embarked on a new venture at the age of 56. He started Gurunavi, short for 'Gourmet Navigator,' as a business within another company, NKB Inc. The initial concept was an online restaurant search site focused on Japan's Kanto region. The service provided a digital platform for diners to find restaurant information, a novel concept at the time. The core business was straightforward: create a comprehensive database of restaurants, offering detailed information like menus and seating, accessible via computers and later, smartphones. For restaurants, Gurunavi became a marketing tool, a way to reach a growing online audience and attract customers. This two-sided marketplace model proved effective, establishing the company as a pioneer in Japan's restaurant search industry. A pivotal moment arrived in April 2005, when Gurunavi went public on the Hercules stock exchange, marking a major milestone in its journey. This event validated its business model and provided capital for further expansion. The company solidified its position not just as a search engine, but as a support system for the entire food service industry. Later, in a significant strategic move, Gurunavi entered into a capital and business alliance with the e-commerce giant Rakuten Group in 2018. This partnership integrated Rakuten's massive member base with Gurunavi's extensive restaurant network, enhancing services like online reservations and loyalty points, and further cementing Gurunavi's role in Japan's digital dining landscape.