About BorderWise.AI

From Childhood Friends to Global Guides

Johann and Ian, co-founders of BorderWise.AI

We're Johann and Ian, childhood friends turned co-founders, on a mission to make moving abroad less overwhelming and more accessible.

Our Story

We grew up together in South Africa. Today, Johann lives in Los Angeles, and Ian calls Darmstadt home. Our different paths led to a shared realization: navigating immigration, relocation, and life in a new country shouldn't be this hard.

Our Mission

To empower motivated DIY relocators with the tools and guidance they need to move abroad confidently, delivering the value of a full service relocation agency at a fraction of the cost. With BorderWise.AI, you're in control, only paying for what you need, when you need it.

Why We Started BorderWise.AI

The Problem

When we each moved abroad, we ran into the same challenges:

Expensive Legal Help

Legal assistance was often unaffordable

Scattered Information

Reliable information was hard to find

Stressful Process

Confusing and time-consuming

The Solution

We knew there had to be a better way—so we built one:

Automate That Which Can Be Automated

Many firms charge for things you can do yourself

Centralized Information

All reliable one-stop-shop throughout your journey

Help When You Need It

Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, we provide personalized support when you need it

What Drives Us

We believe that anyone can find their path to their dream life.

Focus on What Matters

Remove friction so you can focus on opportunities, lifestyle, and family security

Built from Experience

We've been through it ourselves, and we've helped many others

Technology + Expertise

Combine smart software with practical guidance for the best results

Meet the Founders

Ian Hoffman, Co-Founder and COO

Ian Greyvensteyn

Darmstadt, Germany

📈
Operations & Growth
🚴
Cycling & Travel

Ian runs operations and growth. He has years of experience working with early-stage startups and marketing teams and brings a keen eye for building things people trust.

Johann Schuster, Co-Founder and CTO

Johann Schuster

Los Angeles, USA

💻
Technology & Design
🏄
Surfing & Music

Johann leads our technology efforts at BorderWise.AI. With a background in software development and a love for intuitive design, he's focused on making the relocation journey seamless and user-friendly.

Fun Fact: Our First "Business"

At age 10, we started our first venture, going door to door selling raffle tickets. We didn't have a product roadmap, just a love for the hustle, a drive to connect with people, and a desire to make our community a little better. Turns out, not much has changed.

Why BorderWise.AI?

BorderWise.AI helps with the parts of moving abroad that usually cause the most friction:

Visa Planning

Eligibility and immigration planning

Qualifications

Recognition of qualifications

Residence & Settling In

Helping you land on your feet

Career Growth

Finding work and building a future

We've teamed up with a world-class immigration lawyer and built tools that give you real answers—not endless checklists. Everything we offer is built with the same goal: clarity, affordability, and peace of mind.

Get Started

Whether you're planning a move or already living abroad and need support, we're here to help.

You don't have to figure it all out alone. Borderwise is here to help you move forward.