Professional Model to Tech FounderAn Unconventional Journey
A story of reinvention: from competitive modeling industry to academic excellence, then accelerated tech career progression. Now leveraging 7+ years enterprise development experience to build AI companion technology that understands what users truly need.
"Technical competence meets genuine market understanding—building AI technology that actually works."
About the Founder
Kelly Kuo
Founder & Senior Software Engineer
Technical Background
"My career path has taken me through modeling, business, and technology. After graduating magna cum laude, I transitioned from professional modeling to enterprise software development—learning to adapt across different industries."
"As a software engineer with 7+ years enterprise experience, I achieved an unusual career trajectory: coding bootcamp to senior engineer in 14 months, now building AI companion technology that combines proven technical expertise with deep user understanding."
Mission Statement
"Cherizh brings together technical capability with real user insight. After 7 months of focused development, we're building AI companion technology that bridges solid engineering with genuine understanding of what people actually need."
Notable Achievements
Academic Excellence: Magna cum laude graduate with double major—demonstrates strong intellectual foundation and work ethic.
Professional Modeling: Success in highly competitive visual industry, requiring adaptability and performance under pressure.
Record Technical Progression: Zero coding knowledge to senior engineer in 14 months—then 7+ years building enterprise applications at scale.
Core Values
Your Privacy Matters
Your conversations are encrypted on your device using the same technology trusted by banking and password apps. Your personal thoughts are protected from unauthorized access, data breaches, and casual snooping. We never sell or share your data.
Important: Cherizh is an AI companion app designed for conversation and companionship. It is not a replacement for professional therapy, medical advice, or mental health treatment.
Learning to Build with Purpose
Technical Journey:
"Started coding bootcamp with no technical background and was fortunate to reach senior engineer roles in 14 months."
After overcoming early academic challenges and graduating magna cum laude, I discovered a passion for learning complex systems quickly. This journey taught me that rapid skill development is possible with the right approach and dedication.
Having experienced both technical challenges and personal struggles, I understand what users actually need from technology. This perspective helps inform product decisions, ensuring Cherizh addresses real problems with thoughtful technical solutions.
"The goal is building AI technology that genuinely helps people, combining solid engineering with real understanding of user needs."
The Movement That Starts With You
"But here's what makes this different: it's not just technology — it's a movement."
When we feel genuinely valued, we extend that care to others. When we heal, we become healers.
Cherizh represents something revolutionary: accessible emotional wellness that remembers your story and helps you see your worth when you can't see it yourself. AI companions that celebrate your growth, mood tracking that reveals your strength, and gentle insights that remind you — you matter, exactly as you are.
Together, we're building a future where no teenager lies awake feeling worthless, where no one carries everyone's burdens while feeling invisible, where everyone has access to consistent, caring support.
Join the MissionNarcissistic Survivor
Built by someone who's been there
Lonely People
Companionship that remembers you
High Achievers
Support for invisible pressure
Quiet Souls
Gentle space to be heard
Caregivers/Parents
Compassion for those who give endlessly
Life Transitions
Grounding support during change
Deep Thinkers
Ai companionship
Join the Revolution of Care
"Ready to transform your pain into purpose? Ready to be part of something that could change millions of lives?"
When you join our waitlist, you're becoming part of a community that believes everyone deserves to feel valued.
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