YStory Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Co-founders: Janet Yu and Sherry Shi), a digital healthcare company focused on women's wellness, announced on March 8th that its menopause self-care app, "JoyHer," was highlighted in a special feature on the App Store's Today tab to commemorate International Women's Day.
"JoyHer" is designed to support women aged 35 and older in leading healthy, fulfilling lives. To date, the app has been downloaded by more than 60,000 users in Japan.
Symptoms associated with menopause—such as hot flashes, dizziness, and mood swings—are diverse and vary significantly from person to person.
In addition to tracking over 20 different symptoms, "JoyHer" features a "Personal Health Plan" powered by AI. This function analyzes user data to provide personalized advice on nutrition and exercise. Furthermore, the app hosts an "Anonymous Community"—a feature born directly from user feedback—allowing women to connect with peers and experts sharing similar experiences, effectively alleviating the sense of isolation and anxiety often tied to menopause.
YStory is a startup founded by data scientists Janet Yu and Sherry Shi with a vision to "solve women's health challenges through technology."
Following its participation in a business support program with a prominent U.S. medical institution, the company is now looking toward global expansion, leveraging the data and insights accumulated in Japan. By delivering Japan-originated personal care to the world, YStory aims to shift the cultural narrative of menopause from a "dark and difficult time" to a "mature and positive life stage."
■ ICT Startup League
Launched in FY2023 by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), this support program originated from the "Project for Promoting R&D for Startup Creation."
The ICT Startup League supports startups through four core pillars:
① R&D Funding / Hands-on Support
Provides up to 20 million JPY in R&D grants. In addition to financial aid, selection committee members provide continuous mentorship to help startups grow. For companies that committee members find particularly promising, they offer personal support, such as business plan advice and growth opportunities—a unique "advocacy-style" support system.
② Discovery & Cultivation
Offers learning and networking opportunities to accelerate the growth of league members. It also seeks to discover aspiring entrepreneurs to expand the startup ecosystem.
③ Competition & Co-creation
Functioning like a sports league, this platform fosters positive competition where startups learn and challenge one another to secure necessary funding (up to 20 million JPY). It also provides a space for "co-creation," where league members can collaborate and expand their businesses through sessions with the selection committee and other members.
④ Communication
Promotes the initiatives of league members through media partnerships. By increasing public awareness of these businesses, the program aims to broaden the horizons for new matching opportunities and success.
■ Related Websites
ICT Startup League
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YStory Inc. (Official Site)
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YStory Inc. (LEAGUE MEMBER)
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JoyHer (App Store)
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Original Press Release (Japanese)
For more details on STARTUP LEAGUE's startup support, please see here.
