Yuriy Bihusyak
Originally from Ukraine, living in the US since 2000. I’ve built and worked on different startups over the years, and since 2025 my focus has shifted heavily toward AI. Currently building TravlMate AI and BRAMA AI.
Founder @Travlmate.ai @trybrama.com · Roseville, CA, USA
About Yuriy
I’m originally from Ukraine and have lived in the US since 2000. Over the years I’ve built and worked on a number of startups across different industries, learning mostly by actually building things, making mistakes, and figuring out what works.
Since 2025, I’ve been focused heavily on AI and the opportunities it creates for building new products and solving everyday problems.
My main project today is TravlMate AI, an AI travel companion designed to help people before and during their trips, from planning and discovery to safety, translation, food and other everyday travel needs.
I’m also building BRAMA AI, focused on helping teams test and evaluate products before release, including functionality, usability, accessibility, compliance and AI behavior.
I joined Startups.com to learn from other founders and advisors, exchange ideas, make useful connections, and get outside perspectives as I continue building.
Company
TRAVLMATE AI
travlmate.ai
TravlMate AI is an AI travel companion that helps people plan trips, discover places, stay safe, translate, and handle everyday problems while traveling. Instead of replacing the traveler, we use AI as a tool to help people make better decisions before and during their trip.
Company Stage
Launch
Funding Stage
Pre-Seed
Funding Raised
None/Bootstrapped
Team Size
5-10 employees
Annual Revenue
$0 to $100k
Founded
2025
Industry
Travel
Skills
Founder
Founded and is currently building two AI-focused companies, TravlMate AI and BRAMA AI.
AI / Artificial Intelligence
Focused on AI since 2025, building AI travel companions and AI-powered product testing tools.
Entrepreneurship
Successfully built and launched multiple startups, learning through practical application and iteration.
Started Company
Initiated and developed multiple startups from conception, including two active AI ventures.
Problem Solving
Adept at identifying and solving complex problems in startup environments, particularly in product development and market fit.
Technology Industry
Has extensive experience in the technology sector through building various digital products and AI solutions.
Learning Agility
Demonstrates a strong ability to learn rapidly and adapt by building, making mistakes, and continuously improving.
Product Testing
Building a platform (BRAMA AI) focused on testing product functionality, usability, accessibility, and AI behavior.
Product Management
Leads end-to-end product development for AI solutions like TravlMate AI and BRAMA AI, from conception to launch.
Innovation
Continuously seeks and develops innovative solutions, especially in leveraging AI for new products and addressing daily challenges.
Product Evaluation
Expertise in comprehensive product evaluation including functionality, usability, accessibility, compliance, and AI behavior.
Startup Management
Manages the operations of startups, including team management and strategic direction, from ideation to growth.
Software Development
Hands-on experience building and developing various software products across multiple startups.
Bootstrapping
Successfully bootstrapped ventures, managing resources efficiently to achieve product development and growth.
Project Management
Manages the lifecycle of complex projects from planning to execution for multiple products simultaneously.
Strategy
Formulates and executes business strategies for new product development and market entry in the AI and travel sectors.
Bootstrapped Company
Successfully built and grown companies without external investment, demonstrating resourcefulness and financial acumen.
Adaptability
Has adapted to various industries and challenges over years of startup building, thriving on iterative learning.
Usability Testing
Specializes in evaluating product usability and user-friendliness with BRAMA AI.
Quality Assurance (QA)
Integrates quality evaluation into product development, specifically through BRAMA AI's testing focus.
Travel Industry
Actively developing an AI-powered travel companion, gaining deep insights into the travel sector.
Accessibility Testing
Developing tools and methodologies for evaluating product accessibility through BRAMA AI.
Financial Management
Manages finances for bootstrapped startups, focusing on sustainable growth and resource allocation.
Business Development
Developed strategies for revenue generation and market penetration for bootstrapped products.
Startup Ecosystem
Actively participates in the startup community, building connections and gaining insights from other founders and advisors.
Team Management
Leads and manages small teams (5-10 headcount) in the development of AI products.
Collaboration
Seeks collaboration and external perspectives through networking with other founders and advisors.
Compliance
Developing tools within BRAMA AI to help teams test and evaluate products for compliance.
Networking
Engages with founders and advisors through platforms like Startups.com to exchange ideas and make useful connections.
UI/UX Design
Considers user experience in designing AI travel companions and product testing platforms.
Translation
Integrated translation features into TravlMate AI to solve everyday travel needs for users.
Fundraising
Understands funding stages and the process of raising capital, currently leading pre-seed efforts for new ventures.
Market Research
Explored market opportunities and identified user needs for AI travel and product testing solutions.
Experience
milestone
Community Member / Learner
Startups.com
Joined the Startups.com community to learn from other founders and advisors, exchange ideas, and gain outside perspectives on building businesses.
Actively engaging in the startup ecosystem for continuous learning, networking, and mentorship to refine entrepreneurial skills.
job
Founder / AI Product Builder
BRAMA AI
Building an AI-focused product for teams to test and evaluate product functionality, usability, accessibility, compliance, and AI behavior before release.
Founded and is actively developing a new AI product aimed at comprehensive product testing and evaluation.
job
Founder / Builder
Various Startups
Built and worked on a number of startups across different industries, gaining diverse experience in product development and business operations.
Successfully developed and iterated on various products, learning from hands-on building, making mistakes, and figuring out effective strategies.
job
Founder / AI Product Builder
TRAVLMATE AI
Developing an AI travel companion designed to help people before and during their trips, from planning and discovery to safety, translation, food, and other everyday travel needs.
Bootstrapped and launched an AI travel product, growing it to 5-10 headcount and achieving 0-100k annual revenue.
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