History of the Foundation
The Yamamoto Foundation was established after Mr. Yamamoto visited Laos in 2023. During his visit, he was inspired to support the education of Lao students. After meeting Mr. Vannapha Suthivong ("Toe"), a manager of Lailaolab Company, and discussing the economic and educational conditions in Laos, Mr. Yamamoto decided to contribute to strengthening and revitalizing the country's education system. His goal was to provide scholarships to Lao students to better prepare them for their studies while supporting the broader education system for greater accessibility.
The scholarships were awarded to talented and capable students who lacked financial support. The selection process consisted of two rounds: submission of application documents and interviews. Ten students were selected, with eight residing in Vientiane and two in Luang Prabang. The scholarship handover ceremony took place on March 29, 2024, and was attended by Mr. Yoshiharu Yoneyama (position) and (name and position of the deputy director), who presided over the event at the Institute of Information and Communication Technology.
After the scholarships were awarded, monthly activities were organized to foster knowledge exchange and camaraderie among participants. These activities included monthly reporting to monitor the well-being of scholarship recipients and social service activities such as donating supplies to communities and promoting environmental awareness by discouraging littering. These initiatives aimed to build a stronger and more united community while enhancing the educational opportunities for Lao youth.
Brief Biography of Mr. Yamamoto Hiroshi
Mr. Yamamoto Hiroshi is a Japanese entrepreneur with expertise as a software engineer. He co-founded a business called "BitLink" alongside fellow entrepreneurs, guided by the philosophy: "The foundation of a company is not about what you do, but who you do it with." Initially a website development company, BitLink transitioned into a web development firm within a year of its establishment.
During his childhood and teenage years, Mr. Yamamoto lived in Hanamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, before moving to Tokyo to pursue his studies at Hosei University, majoring in mechanical engineering. Apart from his entrepreneurial pursuits, he has a passion for writing and actively engages in literary work.
Chapter 01
Bitlink andReserve LinkChapter 03
Lay it flat, no rails. Yamamoto styleChapter 05
The troubles of being a managerChapter 06
The choice not to stayEpilogue
Finally*About the slogan
The slogans that appear in various places in the article are messages to us staff members that Yamamoto sent out to all employees at the time. He would communicate in his own words what he felt was necessary at the company and its employees at the time, along with explanatory notes. We won't go into the explanatory notes, and the timing of the slogans and the contents of the articles don't match up chronologically, so there are some parts that only employees would understand, but we've included them because they are important words that we wanted to preserve when talking about that time.
Brief History of Lailaolab
Lailaolab ICT Solutions Co., Ltd. was established in 2019 by three co-founders:
Mr. Vannapha SOUTHIVONG
Mr. Muaku KAOJERPAO
Ms. Kanlaya PHOMMASAK
Lailaolab is an innovative technology company that drives social transformation in Laos. The company provides ICT solutions tailored to the needs of both domestic and international clients, offering services such as consultation, system design, system development, and system maintenance. It specializes in diverse system developments, including mobile applications, website development, and various software solutions.
Lailaolab envisions itself as a leader and an inspiring force in advancing the ICT industry in Laos, fostering digital growth and technological innovation. The company is also committed to community involvement, organizing activities such as "Jao Ken Dev" and "Dev Thua Lao" to discover and nurture local talent. These initiatives provide opportunities for young people to showcase their abilities, join the company, and develop further expertise.
In addition, Lailaolab conducts ICT training programs aimed at being a platform for the younger generation to expand their perspectives, build networks, and exchange knowledge in ICT. This initiative supports the development of outstanding ICT professionals in Laos with skills on an international level.
Furthermore, Lailaolab acts as a bridge between sponsors and students receiving scholarships, enabling greater access to education and organizing monthly events to facilitate knowledge exchange and strengthen collaboration among participants. The company also organizes social assistance activities to foster a supportive community and promote deeper connections.