<p><i>Hinoki is one of the finalists in the HI Hub Incubator Program. Julian Darwall tells us more about the business.</i></p>
<p><span class="p-body"><b>What product or service does Hinoki offer?</b><br>
Hinoki democratizes homeownership and hospitality with investment property financing options for freelancers, entrepreneurs, and innovators.</span></p>
<p><span class="p-body"><b>How did you come up with the idea for this business?</b><br>
I’ve co-developed a boutique hospitality portfolio and am interested in serving freelancers, creators, and business owners interested in financing their own projects.</span></p>
<p><span class="p-body"><b>Why did you decide to participate in the HI Hub Incubator program?</b><br>
The real estate and hospitality ecosystems can take different approaches to growing and funding companies than the tech industry, and I’m interested in exploring alternatives.</span></p>
<p><span class="p-body"><b>What do you enjoy most about creating your own startup business?</b><br>
The potential to fund creative space-making projects that can also support emotional freedom and financial access.</span></p>
<p><span class="p-body"><b>What advice would you give to someone contemplating founding a startup?</b><br>
Think carefully about what matters to you and consider which initial products are realistic in various funding and partnership scenarios.</span></p>
<p><span class="p-body"><b>What is something you learned through this process that you wish you’d known before you created your startup?</b><br>
It’s always worth remembering to start lean and test before building new tech.</span></p>
<p><span class="p-body"><b>What does the future of your startup look like in an ideal world?</b><br>
Creating resilience in the housing market by allowing more approaches to homeownership, including for a diverse group of freelancers and creatives, while taking a conscientious approach to community.</span></p>
<p><span class="p-body"><b>Have you worked with any alumni or mentors on this project? If so, who and what was that experience like?<br>
</b>I look forward to it!</span></p>
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