About Westside Union
Our Journey
Founded
Westside Union was founded in 2009 as a visionary design studio by two ambitious founders: Jacky Ho (Taiwan) and Jerry Schuman (United States). Inspired by the pioneering spirit of Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, they set out to leverage visual and UI/UX design as powerful tools for global problem-solving.
Rebranding & Expansion
Marking a pivotal shift to SaaS, Westside Union launched an all-in-one, cloud-based, no-code mobile app builder for the restaurant and retail sectors—inspired by the accessibility of Wix and Weebly. This era also saw CTR Strategy Inc. invest in Westside Union Studio, rebranding it as Westside Union Inc. and expanding the team to include VFX artists and specialized engineers for integrated software, hardware, and 3D-printing prototyping services.
Google Ignite & R&D Innovation
Westside Union joined the Google Ignite program and established its R&D department, focusing on the intersection of hardware, software, and Web3 applications. This era saw the development of Project BitChat, an experimental military-grade encrypted enterprise messenger, alongside Project BizApp—leveraging our deep UI/UX design heritage to lower the barrier for SMEs.
Project Bio Union: The AI Health Pivot
Venturing into medical-grade innovation, Westside Union launched Project Leap M (Bio Union), developing smart garments for real-time cardiac monitoring. This breakthrough combined ECG tracking with automated reporting to streamline patient management and doctor follow-ups. This era initiated our deep research into machine learning and AI—technologies that have since been integrated into every solution we build to drive predictive, data-driven outcomes.
Spatial Computing & Strategic Growth
Founder Jacky Ho engineered Project LEIA, a record-breaking interactive 3D hologram system for Crystal Galleria in Shanghai. Featuring integrated motion sensors for intuitive gesture tracking, it pushed the boundaries of spatial interaction. This same year, Westside Union began its evolution into a venture studio, initiating a strategy of acquiring and investing in high-potential startup companies.
Global Recognition & Bio Union Expansion
Westside Union achieved international acclaim when our founder was invited to speak at the MEDICA Connected Health Forum—the world's premier medical sector event—to present our research on Project Leap M. This global exposure served as the catalyst for spinning off the project into its own dedicated entity, with Bio Union being founded in San Francisco to lead our North American HealthTech operations.
Blockchain Advocacy & Regulatory Leadership
Building on research and community involvement dating back to 2014, Westside Union solidified its role as a leader in the digital asset space. In 2018, founder Jacky Ho was invited as a founding member of the Taiwan Blockchain Self-Regulatory Organization (SRO). Drawing on years of deep research into Blockchain and Cryptocurrency, he actively shaped regulatory frameworks to foster a more secure and innovative environment for emerging Web3 startups.
Innovating Through the Global Crisis
During Textile Innovation Week by WTiN Innovate Seminars, founder Jacky Ho was invited to present Bio Union's latest breakthrough in smart garment technology. He detailed how our advanced wearable sensors are being utilized to help governments predict and manage the Covid-19 crisis, showcasing the profound impact of data-driven HealthTech on public safety.
Strategic Expansion & AI Transformation
In 2025, Westside Union underwent a strategic reconstruction, establishing our headquarters in Toronto to lead our North American expansion. Leveraging over 14 years of cross-functional expertise across global projects, we have pivoted our focus toward AI-driven SaaS and bespoke software solutions. Today, we deliver tailor-made, intelligent systems for enterprises, retail, and restaurants, bridging the gap between cutting-edge technology and real-world business scaling.