In a community built on connection, it’s the individual stories that truly bring it to life. At Founders500, our Member of the Month series is all about celebrating the people who make our community what it is. Through a short Q&A, we shine a light on their career journeys, experiences, and how they became part of Founders500. It’s a chance to learn from one another, discover shared paths, and highlight the diverse voices within our network. Get to know this month’s featured member below!

A bit about Chanuki:

I’m Chanuki Illushka Seresinhe, founder of Beautiful Places AI. We started as a Community Interest Company with a mission to map how people perceive places around the world, and to make that data available for social good. Through our app, website and open source image repositories, we’ve identified over 67,000 beautiful places, mainly across the UK but with global data collection well underway.

Earlier this year, we also created Beautiful Places AI Technologies Ltd to explore commercial applications of our data. We’re focused on capturing key insights that existing location data misses: how places actually feel in various ways. Not just objective metrics like walkability scores or transport links, but the qualitative, human side of place. As AI increasingly guides where people live, work and travel, this kind of perception data is becoming essential, and it doesn’t exist at scale. We’re working to change that.

What inspired you to start this journey? 

This work started during my PhD, where I published research showing that AI could predict how people perceive the beauty of places. After working in the commercial world for a few years, I took the leap and started a company. I kept hearing from peers that this data would be incredibly valuable, and that nothing like it exists at scale. Eventually, I realised that just sitting on the research was something I’d really regret. Beauty matters – it’s linked to our wellbeing, our connection to place and our quality of life. And there was a clear opportunity to build something with both social and commercial value around it.

If you had to describe your “big goal” for the next 6-12 months, what would it be? 

We’re exploring routes to accelerate development of our place perception data layer for the commercial arm of Beautiful Places AI, including grants and potential investment. We’re also finalising design partners in travel and real estate, to help build something with real commercial value.

What’s one project, idea or milestone you’re most excited about right now? 

Our 1 Million Beautiful Places project! We combined power of AI and community contributions to create unprecedented data on beauty around the world. So far we’ve identified 67,000 locations, and our next milestone is 100,000 with at least one in every country. From celebrated landscapes to overlooked local gems, every contribution helps. If you’d like to get involved, download our app: https://www.beautifulplaces.ai/download-our-app (it’s free, and you can explore everything we’ve found!).

What’s a challenge you’re working through at the moment- and what kind of support would make the biggest difference? 

Stephen Law (my co-founder on the CIC) and I have deep technical expertise, which has got us this far, but as we move into the commercial phase, we’re looking to strengthen that side of the business. Finding the right sustainable business model and learning from people who’ve successfully commercialised research or data products would make a real difference right now.

Why did you join the Founders500 community/ start coming to Founders events? 

Being a founder can feel quite lonely, and it’s easy to get stuck in your own head. Coming to events where you can meet other founders working through similar challenges is really valuable. It’s reassuring to know you’re not the only one figuring things out as you go.

What does “community” mean to you- and what means a community actually valuable? 

A community is valuable when everyone contributes, not just takes. The best ones have people who genuinely want to help each other and share what they’ve learned. That’s when it stops being a networking event and starts being something you actually want to show up to. I feel Founders500 offers exactly that.

What’s something you’ve learned from another member, event or conversation that stuck with you? 

Someone told me early on that it’s worth talking to investors before you feel ready. You don’t need the perfect product. Also that “no” often just means “not yet,” and the feedback can be incredibly valuable.

What’s one way people in the community can support you right now (connections, feedback, accountability, customers etc)?

Introductions to businesses in property, travel or relocation who might be interested in exploring how place perception data could enhance their products. I’m also always keen to learn from people who’ve commercialised research or data products.

What’s one piece of advice or encouragement you’d give to someone who’s just getting started? 

In the early days of a startup, it’s completely normal to wonder if you’re doing the right thing. Some days feel great, others make you question why you gave up your well-paying full-time job! 😉 That’s just how it goes. If your gut tells you this is the right thing to do, don’t give up until you feel like you’ve given it your best shot.