Against the Odds: How One Japanese Startup Got Its Start in the U.S. Market

What drives someone to leave everything familiar behind and chase a global vision? When Genomelink co-founder Tomohiro “Tomo” Takano first landed in the Bay Area, he had no visa, no funding, and no traction — only a bold idea: to build a “DNA App Store” that would empower people around the world with access to their own genetic data. Just as the team was preparing to return to Japan, Berkeley SkyDeck opened its doors to them, and changed everything.
In this candid conversation, Tomo reflects on how that turning point helped Genomelink grow, what it really takes to succeed in the U.S. startup scene, and why a little ego might be exactly what founders need to think beyond borders. Whether you’re just starting out or already dreaming big, Tomo’s journey offers valuable insight and encouragement for every Japanese founder considering the leap.
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About Genomelink
Genomelink is a DNA App Store that lets users upload their DNA data to access unique insights, like a deep ancestry report covering 130+ ethnicities and ancient DNA comparisons across 1000+ global samples. It also offers 400+ trait analyses not found in typical tests. Genomelink recently launched two new products:

T1D Scout, the first clinical test designed to detect misdiagnosed type 1 diabetes among type 2 patients. Learn more at Type1 Strong.

YourRoots, an interactive genealogy tool powered by AI and global map visualizations