Credit: Written By Social Impact Lab Japan


In a rapidly digitizing world, platforms that bridge the gap between knowledge and learners have become indispensable. One such innovative platform is timelyhero, a skill-matching hub that enables individuals to teach and learn skills globally. We had the pleasure of speaking with Eric Wei, the visionary founder of timelyhero, about his journey, the challenges he has faced, and his aspirations for the platform.

Journey to timelyhero

Eric’s story began with a personal struggle. Originally from Taiwan, he moved to Japan—a country that he loved—but faced challenges finding a job due to a lack of specific skills. 


After experiencing an intense period of self-improvement and learning, he eventually secured a role as a project manager for supply chain management at Amazon Japan, where he also contributed to the Kindle business. His subsequent three years at Google, where he managed Google Play Movies, TV, Books, and Audiobooks across the Asia Pacific, further enriched his expertises. Later on, his roles at China's DiDi Chuxing and launching foodpanda's Japanese subsidiary at Delivery Hero underscored a significant issue: the lack of a robust infrastructure for skill development and matching.


These experiences culminated in the founding of Dimes, Inc. in 2021, through which he developed timelyhero. The platform addresses the critical need for accessible skill-sharing opportunities, enabling individuals worldwide to teach and learn various skills through a seamless, user-friendly interface.


Empowering Global Skill Exchange

"timelyhero" stands out as a dynamic skill matching platform where individuals worldwide can both teach and learn a myriad of skills. The platform leverages advanced video conferencing and AI-powered translation to break down language barriers, ensuring seamless global connectivity. The company provides support for skill enhancement, business digital transformation, and consulting services, empowering users to showcase expertise and earn income.

Impact and Success Stories

Eric emphasizes timelyhero's commitment to inclusivity, collaboration, and social responsibility. "We strive to ensure equal access to learning and earning opportunities regardless of economic status or language capability," he asserts. "Our platform encourages collaboration among global users, educators, and stakeholders, cultivating a community-driven ecosystem that enriches everyone involved."

Illustrating timelyhero's profound impact, Eric shares a compelling success story. "Yujen works at TikTok UK and uses her weekends to offer her career and life consulting skills to help others and generate income," he enthuses. "From her reviews, users have shared the feedback on how one consulting call could build confidence and provide oversea industry insights to illuminate their career paths."


Future Challenges and Strategies

Looking ahead, Eric identifies challenges on availability that skilled coaches only have limited time that are hard to make reservations , particularly soft skills like DEI, intercultural communication and agile mindset. "We strategically partnered with EU soft skill e-learning giant Pinktum to bring in hundreds of macrolearning and microlearning courses that can be accessed anytime anywhere," he notes. "This strategic partnership allows us to solve availability problems to deliver knowledge to more users in need, we even started to receive calls from enterprises requesting to evaluate and provide to their employees to learn."


In conclusion, Eric Wei's timelyhero stands at the vanguard of educational innovation, epitomizing the transformative power of technology in fostering global connectivity and social change. As Social Impact Lab Japan continues to champion initiatives that drive positive societal impact, timelyhero serves as a testament to the boundless potential of entrepreneurship in shaping a brighter future for all.


In its commitment to advancing social entrepreneurship and impactful initiatives, Social Impact Lab Japan seeks to amplify stories of visionary leaders like Eric Wei, whose dedication to innovation is reshaping educational paradigms worldwide. Join us in our next event Japan’s Social Impact Ecosystem: Present and Future this September 26th at 7:00 PM (JST) to engage in thought-provoking discussions, connect with like-minded individuals, and be part of the conversation that shapes the future of social impact in Japan.


Original Post

https://www.socialimpactlabjapan.org/silj-activities/timely-hero-advancing-social-impact-with-ai-powered-coaching-tools