The Story of OFI Inc. : O-KUN’s Bold Philippine Expansion

Building OFI From the Ground Up

The company’s journey started with a constant push to bring this vision to life. It all began with a continuous suggestion to convince O-KUN to establish a company in the Philippines. Finally, in summer 2023, with Yamashita-san’s approval and support, we initiated the creation of OFI Inc. in the Philippines.

Sakisaka-san played a pivotal role in this journey. In December 2023, he moved to the Philippines, working remotely by himself for half a year. His dedication during this period laid the groundwork for what OFI Inc. would become.

In February, our company was officially incorporated. The process wasn’t without its challenges—from finalizing the company name to managing shareholder percentages, every step required meticulous attention and collaborative effort.

The incorporation process faced several hurdles. Deciding on a company name was particularly challenging. Our first proposed name, "Philippine Fintech Company," was rejected by the SEC because "Philippine" is reserved for government entities. We then proposed "O-KUN Fintech Innovation," but this too was declined as the term "Fintech" suggested a focus solely on financial technologies, which didn’t align with our broader scope. After much deliberation, we finally agreed on OFI Inc., which stands for O-KUN Frontier Innovations. This name encapsulates our dedication to pushing boundaries and introducing groundbreaking solutions, inspired by O-KUN’s vision of creating a happier, more innovative world.

Additionally, determining the share distribution among founders was a delicate process, requiring clear communication and compromise to ensure fairness and alignment with long-term goals. These challenges, though demanding, strengthened our resolve and set the stage for a collaborative and resilient foundation.

In August 2024, we received an invitation from the SEC to apply for their sandbox program. This presented an exciting opportunity to formally submit Sukey.io for consideration. The sandbox environment provides a framework to test innovative solutions under regulatory supervision, ensuring compliance while fostering innovation. This marked a significant step forward in our journey to tokenize real estate and redefine property transactions through blockchain technology.

Inspired by O-KUN’s Vision

OFI Inc.’s philosophy resonates deeply with O-KUN’s mission of making "Working Happily Living Happily" a social standard. Inspired by their commitment to fostering autonomy, creativity, and limitless possibilities, we at OFI strive to align with these values. By adopting our parent company's emphasis on understanding the essence of challenges, taking proactive steps, and embracing trial and error, we have built a foundation for collaboration and innovation. Our shared dedication to creating environments where work is enjoyable and meaningful is at the heart of our efforts.

Our Growing Team

Our team began to take shape in June 2024 with our first employee, Pepito. A seasoned professional with 10 years of experience in the insurance industry, Pepito decided to pivot his career to programming. While working full-time, he pursued a computer programming course, embodying the determination and passion we value at OFI Inc.

Next came Alex, a fresh graduate with an unrelenting passion for programming. Eager to learn and tackle real-world challenges.

Hiroyuki joined us, further enriching our team with his expertise and dedication. who is half Filipino Japanese, a great example of what both cultures can create.

The People Behind OFI Inc.

The foundation of OFI Inc. is built on the collective vision and leadership of its co-founders, each bringing a wealth of experience and unique perspectives to the table. Yamashita-san, the CEO of O-KUN, has been a driving force behind the company’s establishment, offering his invaluable guidance and support every step of the way. Koshiba-san, the CEO of UMJ, brought his extensive business acumen and strategic insights, ensuring the company’s operations were underpinned by effective risk management and financial expertise. Ryan Tan, the CEO of Hauslands, contributed his deep understanding of the real estate industry, helping us navigate the intricacies of property transactions and align our offerings with market needs. Atty. Third Bagro, the founder of FLO Attorneys, ensured that our legal frameworks were solid and compliant, guiding us through the complexities of corporate governance and regulatory requirements. Lastly, Michael Koa, the CEO of Chatime Philippines, added a dynamic entrepreneurial spirit to the team, guiding us on how to navigate the business culture in the Philippine market and inspiring us to continuously innovate and expand our horizons.

Together, these visionaries have laid a strong foundation for OFI Inc., steering the company towards a future of growth and success.

Expanding Horizons

Although our team remains small, with only four programmers, we are steadily developing our expertise and capacity. Our collaboration with O-KUN has been greatly supported by Takase-san, whose guidance and coordination have been instrumental in ensuring the project progresses smoothly. These experiences, coupled with the shared philosophy of autonomy, limitless thinking, and proactive efforts, are laying the foundation for our future growth and impact.

A Culture of Collaboration

Our journey wouldn’t have been possible without the collaborative spirit that defines OFI Inc. From our starting days to our current phase of growth, we’ve fostered an environment where ideas flourish, challenges are met with enthusiasm, and every team member’s contribution is valued.

We’ve also built strategic partnerships, such as with leading law firms, geodetic engineering companies and tech innovators, to strengthen our offerings and ensure our solutions are not only innovative but also compliant and practical.

Looking Ahead

As we continue to grow, we remain grounded in the values that have guided us since day one: innovation (always trying first), integrity (Self driven and Finding the Root), and impact(Limitless). Each milestone we achieve is a reminder of how far we’ve come and a motivator for what’s still to be accomplished.

The road ahead is filled with opportunities, and we are excited to explore them with our expanding team and ever-growing community of partners and clients.

We started as a team of bold minds with a big dream, and today, we’re steadily growing into a company that makes a difference. The best part? This is just the beginning.

Let’s continue to innovate, collaborate, and create a brighter future together.

Kampai to the journey ahead!