empower - | 'im-'pou(-ə)r | - make (someone) stronger and confident, especially in controlling their life.
Today Alegup continues to achieve success by empowering young people to make well-informed decisions based on an understanding of critical life skills and knowledge learned. We love what we do and could not be happier.
out of necessity
After being approached time and time again with the same questions, dilemmas, and problems, Alegup’s founder, Jun Watanabe, recognized a knowledge gap in academia and was excited by the opportunity to explain and provide guidance. In 2006, he used his enthusiasm to create Alegup where young people were provided the tools necessary to make informed life decisions towards a more rewarding and promising future.
We envision a world where the future of every young person is secure on the premise that they are provided the knowledge and knowhow for life-long success.
our conviction
Alegup has the conviction that we can all inspire and prepare the young people of today for success tomorrow. Through inspiration and encouragement, we strive to enhance and enrich the lives of every young person with a solid foundation of financial literacy and life-skills necessary for creating opportunities and finding success.
our story
Being the first of his family born in the United States, Jun quickly acquired life skills and knowledge through the study of known experts in their field and in reading countless articles and publications across a wide range of relevant information. With a•leg•up in life, he was then able to help his sisters, friends and their friends make informed life decisions with confidence and success. For example, his sister quickly took control of her credit history and score enabling her to make the biggest purchase of her life, a home. Jun also counseled his other sister through successful career transitions, and helped countless friends take control of their finances.
Bestowing what he learned to his siblings and friends to improve the quality of their lives has provided Jun with a deep satisfaction that only comes with helping others. Alegup is the product of a lifetime of acquiring practical experience and relevant life skills and the result of three intensive years of content development and program delivery. Jun could not be happier or more proud to have started a successful company focused on giving our youth a promising future; a legacy he hopes will continue for many years to come.
About the Founder
Jun Watanabe continues a life commitment helping enhance student success and achievement by being a leader and innovator in education. With Alegup he leverages his expertise to the continual development, advancement, and expansion of its services. Prior to founding Alegup, Jun gained deep experience from several successful years in senior operational roles; over a decade of success in sales, consulting, and client management roles.
Highly motivated to make a difference, Jun is actively involved with several non-profit organizations in both the Bay Area and in Seattle. He is a former NCAA Div I Academic All-American, 5-time Ironman triathlete, and ultra distance athlete (running and cycling). Jun received his B.S.B.A. in Finance from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business.