Yuer Liu’s journey is a testament to the power of combining vision with purpose, especially when it comes to tackling critical societal issues. As the Co-Founder and CEO of ISHI, a pioneering AI-powered mental health support system, Yuer Liu has transformed her early realizations about the struggles faced by students into a groundbreaking solution. Her story is one of persistence, innovation, and a deep commitment to making mental health resources accessible for everyone, particularly in academic environments.
Yuer Liu’s journey began at the end of 2021, a time when she found herself deeply moved by the underrecognized struggles students face in terms of mental health. As a member of the clinical pedagogy lab at Kyushu University, Yuer Liu realized that mental health challenges among students were more prevalent than she had imagined. This discovery was eye-opening, and the more she delved into the subject, the more motivated she became to find a solution that could help alleviate the burden students often face without adequate support. This revelation was the spark that ignited the idea for ISHI.
From the very beginning, Yuer Liu understood that solving the mental health crisis for students would require more than just a good ideait would take dedication, resources, and innovation. This understanding led her to work tirelessly to bring ISHI to life. Yuer Liu and her team iterated and pivoted, adapting their approach as they navigated the complexities of creating an AI-powered platform. The result? A service designed to enhance accessibility to mental health resources and reduce the strain on school support systems, ensuring that students could receive the help they needed when they needed it most.
The journey of ISHI, however, was not an easy one, nor was it a local endeavor. Yuer Liu’s entrepreneurial path took her from Japan to the United States and Europe, highlighting her commitment to global collaboration and learning. In September 2022, Yuer Liu participated in the Idea Battle at the Robert T. Huang Entrepreneurship Center at Kyushu University, where she and her team unveiled their first web application and robot prototypes. This marked the beginning of ISHI’s transformation into an AI-driven solution for mental health support.
But Yuer Liu knew that innovation required more than just an idea and a prototypeit demanded real-world validation and collaboration with experts. In March 2023, her journey took a significant turn when she received support from Kyushu University to travel to Boston, where she pitched ISHI at MIT and the Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC). At the HBS Tech Conference, Yuer Liu immersed herself in the world of frontier technologies, learning about the latest developments that would help propel ISHI forward.
Yuer Liu’s global journey didn’t stop there. In December 2023, she was selected as one of only four students in Japan for the JSTAR-X Advanced Program, a prestigious opportunity that allowed her to study at Draper University in Silicon Valley. Here, Yuer Liu was exposed to the heart of the startup ecosystem, gaining invaluable insights into the world of venture capital, technology, and entrepreneurship. The connections and lessons learned during this time played a crucial role in shaping ISHI’s future direction.
In April 2024, Yuer Liu’s quest for innovation took her to Germany, where she studied at TUM Campus Heilbronn. Known for its strong reputation in innovation, Heilbronn became the perfect environment for Yuer Liu to continue refining ISHI. It was here that Yuer Liu had a serendipitous encounter with Campus Founders, a community that would later help propel ISHI to the next level. By July 2024, Yuer Liu was fully immersed in the AI startup ecosystem, unlocking new ideas to integrate cutting-edge technologies into ISHI’s framework.
One of the most defining moments in Yuer Liu’s entrepreneurial journey came when she applied for the Campus Founder Incubator program. This was the moment that solidified ISHI’s foundation, providing Yuer Liu and her co-founder, Ryan Makoni, with the resources and support they needed to take ISHI to new heights. With a firm foundation in place, Yuer Liu was now positioned to lead ISHI into a future that was filled with promise.
Throughout her journey, Yuer Liu has always been quick to recognize and acknowledge the importance of her mentors, peers, and supporters. She frequently credits her success to the incredible network that has been by her side, helping her navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship. But perhaps the most significant takeaway from Yuer Liu’s experience is her unwavering belief in the power of embracing challenges as opportunities for growth.
Yuer Liu’s leadership and determination are reflected not only in the success of ISHI but also in her approach to mental health. By creating an accessible platform for students in need, Yuer Liu has ensured that future generations will have the resources to address their mental health needs without stigma or barriers. Her journey serves as an inspiration to all who believe that one person, driven by purpose and resilience, can change the world for the better.
As ISHI continues to evolve and grow, Yuer Liu remains steadfast in her mission to provide students with the mental health support they deserve. Her entrepreneurial journey is a clear reminder that the road to innovation is not always smooth, but it is filled with opportunities for those who are willing to embrace challenges and push forward.
Yuer Liu’s story is far from over, and the impact of her work will undoubtedly continue to shape the future of mental health support in schools around the world. Through her relentless pursuit of change, Yuer Liu has shown that with vision, determination, and the right mindset, anything is possible.
