A data analyst who went through depression and deep loneliness after moving to the UK has created a social app to help others settle more quickly, reaching 1,000 downloads within its first three weeks.
Ajibola Agbaje launched Japaflex Ltd after struggling to form connections, meet people from similar backgrounds and access helpful resources while adjusting to life in a new country.
The 41 year old built the entire platform on his own without outside investment, teaching himself new skills and working long hours to reduce costs while getting the business off the ground.
Now living in Middlesbrough, Ajibola designed the app to support students, tourists, travellers and residents who find themselves isolated or overwhelmed when they relocate to a new city.
He told Hype Daily that the idea came directly from his own experiences of moving to the UK and being unable to find people who shared his culture or a community that could ease the emotional challenges of loneliness and disconnection. He said the lack of support eventually affected his mental health.
He explained that many people moving abroad for work, study or holidays face the same struggle and often find that existing social platforms do not address the deeper issues created by relocation.
Before launching Japaflex, Ajibola had worked in data science and business analysis. Once he adjusted to life in the UK, he realised others around him were still dealing with the same problems he once faced. That realisation prompted him to build a solution tailored to newcomers.
He said the UK’s diverse population and continued global migration made it clear that a dedicated platform was needed. While many social apps already exist, he said they rarely address the root causes of isolation, which led him to create Japaflex.
Japaflex uses advanced geolocation and geofencing tools to help users connect with people and resources in their local area, making it easier for them to integrate and settle.
The app went live on 10 May and reached 1,000 downloads in under a month, a milestone Ajibola described as uplifting. Users have already shared feedback explaining how the app has eased their transition.
Building the platform came with major challenges. Ajibola struggled with funding restrictions, limited resources, immigration barriers and the difficulty of attracting early users.
Because the company had no investment, he had to take on multiple roles and learn everything from development to marketing himself. He said Japaflex is entirely bootstrapped.
His earliest users came through word of mouth and support from close communities.
Japaflex is currently pre-revenue but has been selected for the Tees Valley Labs Stable programme, a six month accelerator designed to help businesses scale, find product-market fit and generate sustainable income.
Although the app is also live in the USA, Canada, India and Nigeria, Ajibola said he cannot actively expand into those countries yet because of financial limits and regulatory requirements.
For now, his main focus is on building Japaflex n the UK, and the project has already started receiving recognition and awards, something he says means a great deal to him.
When asked what drives him, Ajibola said his biggest motivation is simple: the determination to succeed.
Japaflex is active on Instagram, LinkedIn, X, Facebook and TikTok under the handle Japaflex.
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