Unlocking South Korea’s Startup Potential: Explore Innovation and Investment Opportunities at the KOSME-beSUCCESS Showcase in the USA
2023년 09월 06일

TIPS USAIn the ever-evolving landscape of global entrepreneurship, a remarkable event is on the horizon that promises to showcase the ingenuity of Korean startups while offering a window into exciting investment prospects. The Korea SMEs & Startups Agency (KOSME), in partnership with beSUCCESS Media Group, is hosting a Showcase for Korean startup founders in the USA on September 19 in San Francisco & September 21 at Menlo Park. (Details of Registration at End of Article. Please use the form  and note, we have limited seats available, and confirmation is required to attend.)

Exploring Innovation Across Sectors:

The KOSME-beSUCCESS Showcase brings together a diverse array of startups, each armed with groundbreaking solutions that have the potential to disrupt industries and redefine market norms. This event marks a milestone in KOSME K-Unicorn Academy, launched in July. From an impressive pool of candidates spanning diverse sectors, including ICT, healthcare, SaaS, and manufacturing, a select group of 50 pioneering companies emerged in the initial round for the program participation.

Empowering Global Entrepreneurs:

The core objective of the KOSME K-Unicorn Academy Program is to empower young Korean entrepreneurs by furnishing them with essential resources and avenues to extend their ventures on a global scale. The inaugural phases of the program saw participating startup companies engaging in enlightening online mentoring sessions with seasoned experts hailing from the USA, Singapore, and the Middle East. These sessions were dedicated to exploring the realms of global expansion and unearthing untapped market prospects.

Of the initial cohort of fifty companies, 10 startup founders are poised to pitch their distinctive products and services to a discerning audience of investors from the USA. This event promises attendees an exclusive preview of the dynamic startup pitches, offering an opportunity to connect with the visionary founders and foster networking with elite investors, accelerators, and corporate assumes strategists.

The KOSME Advantage:

At the heart of this event is KOSME (Korea SMEs & Startups Agency), an organization dedicated to nurturing the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Korea. Through a range of financial and non-financial initiatives, KOSME empowers startups and SMEs to expand their reach, diversify their portfolios, and enhance their global competitive edge. By participating in the Showcase, you align yourself with an agency that is actively shaping the future of entrepreneurship.

beSUCCESS: A Catalyst for Success

beSUCCESS Media Group, headquartered in Seoul, has a formidable reputation for co-hosting and facilitating international startup-investor network events. Notable programs like TIPX beSUCCESS Korean Startup Showcase Silicon Valley have attracted global investors to invest in Korean startups. beSUCCESS has co-organised events with TechnNode, a Pan-Asia tech platform, Yonsei University, Asan Foundation, etc.

The startups that have participated in various beSUCCESS events have achieved remarkable investment success, with alumni securing millions in funding from global investors. Alumni of previous showcase programs facilitated by beSUCCESS like ed-tech startup Riiid has raised $250 million, AI startup Nota raised $23 million in funding from global investors, and 4D imaging radar solution startup bitsensing has raised a total of $21 million in funding since its inception

An Unparalleled Networking Opportunity:

The Showcase is a chance to connect with the visionary Korean startup founders driving these innovative ventures. For investors, venture capitalists, accelerators, and corporate strategists, the KOSME-beSUCCESS Showcase offers a unique platform to expand networks and discover the next big opportunity. It is a space where the brightest minds in the startup ecosystem converge, eager to exchange ideas, explore synergies, and form partnerships that could reshape industries. Whether you’re seeking new investment prospects or aiming to connect with like-minded professionals, this event is tailor-made for you.

The KOSME-beSUCCESS Showcase is more than an event; it’s an opportunity to immerse yourself in the future of innovation and investment. Join us at this landmark event and be a part of the unfolding narrative of Korean startups’ expansion into the US market. Your next big opportunity might be just a pitch away. Please fill up the below form and mark your spot.

Unveiling the Future:

Highlighting the core of the event, a select group of 10 startups will take the stage to pitch their distinctive products and services to an audience of discerning investors. 

Company NameEquity Capital Raised(USD) so farCurrent Investor ListsCategoryShort DescriptionTraction
Gole-Robotics202314600,000Primer Sazze PartnersDongmin LeeCEOConstruction

Gole-AMR is revolutionizing the construction landscape by automating material transport through cutting-edge robotics. This innovation eliminates labor-intensive tasks, resulting in significant cost savings, and enables efficient material transportation, even in challenging construction site environments. Other features include durability, safety enhancements, and optimization of time and productivity.

30  pre-contract construction sites
Greenish Inc. 2021478,000YoonminJade SungCEOMedical device

The company's product, Ferti-Max, a groundbreaking lubricant, creates an alkaline environment in a woman's vagina, optimizing conditions for sperm viability and movement. Designed to aid conception efforts, Ferti-Max offers an accessible way for couples to prepare for pregnancy from the comfort of their homes, supplementing fertility treatments.

 

Conducted a survey of fertility patients
Vsion Inc.202211523,700
  1. DG Tech Holdings
  2. Yoonmin
  3. Korea Investment Accelerator
  4. Y&Archer
HeeYoung YUNCEOEnergy Efficiency/Zero Energy Building

The company will present PDLC Film, an intelligent window film tailored for zero-energy buildings. This innovative film reduces heating and cooling loads, leading to energy cost savings and decreased carbon emissions. Its unique ability to switch between transparency and opacity via electrical controls adds versatility, serving as a blind function and even a projector screen.

- Registered 2 patents(KR), Applied 3 patents(KR), Applied 1 patents(PCT)
- As of August 2023,  achieved more than 200% of last year's sales
BEI Lab20202518 Million
  1. KAIST
  2. Stonebridge Investments
  3. POSCO
  4. SJ Investment Partners
  5. BSK Investments
  6. Korea Credit Guarantee Fund
  7. Industrial Bank of Korea
  8. Woori Bank
  9. ID Ventures
  10. Samho Green Investments
Changdeuck BaeCEOHigh energy density lithium ion battery manufacturing

Their lightweight lithium metal battery boasts double the energy density of traditional counterparts, promising to revolutionize electric vehicles by enhancing driving range, safety, and fast charging capabilities.

  • Filed 17 patents:
  • 1 granted patent (KR)
  • 6 applied patents (US/PCT)
  • 10 applied patents (KR)
APGREEN Inc.2022544,000Venture SquarePark taeyoonCEOOnsite Modular Clean Hydrogen Generator

Championing clean hydrogen production, APGREEN's systems harness hydrocarbons like natural gas and biogas to generate hydrogen while converting resultant carbon into valuable materials. This sustainable approach aligns with the global shift towards cleaner energy solutions.

  •  Registered 3 patents(KR)
  • Applied 1 patents(KR)
  • Applied 1 patents(US)
CAMI Labs20223nonenoneYunsoo JohCEOPet Technology Service & Contents

The company introduces a platform dedicated to pets and their owners, offering a range of standardized online psychological tests. These assessments address pet personality traits, aggression, stress levels, as well as the caregiving dynamics of owners. Future plans include a platform for recommending optimal parenting and training methods.

  • MAU 15K : compared to the beginning of this year
  • the growth rate is 200%
  • Registered 1 patent, Applied 1 patent (KR)
CarCare20233nonenoneYungmoo SongCEOUsed car pre purchase inspectionThe used car market ranks among the top three markets for lemons in North America. Mexpert's goal is to address the information imbalance between buyers and sellers/dealers. Moreover, it  launched this service in order to simplify complex used car purhase providing associated services.
  • We currently accumulated 19 partner mechanics
  • Conducted 13 inspection services during 3 weeks for customer validation.
kfoodtech.inc20204nonenonekim yongCEOkitchen automation / food robot

A pioneer in kitchen automation solutions and food tech, kfoodtech.inc boasts operational expertise garnered from running an automated restaurant in Korea. With a portfolio of patents and operational know-how, the company now envisions expansion into the United States.

  • launched 1st directly mangaed robotic restaurant
  • listed 1patent / published 2 patent 3. 200,000 USD revenue per year
Factagora20215nonenoneRandy BaekCEOAI governanceFactagora is a factual knowledge base for AI governance. It is focusing on fact check technology to fix the AI hallucination problems.
  • 1 paid user. Providing AI governance service to Shin and Kim. (Korean Law firm)
FlareLane, Inc.20224250,000Primer Sazze PartnersMonica LeeVP of Sales & OperationsB2B Martech SaaS

The company introduces an AI-powered interactive push notification platform that streamlines marketers' efforts, enhancing user retention and elevating the end-user experience.

  • 2,000 signed up users
  • 30 paid customers
  • ARR $80K (increased 8 folds compared to 2022 H2)
  • Acquired renowned Korean enterprises as paid customers (LG, Hyundai)

Save the Date:

As part of the program two startup showcases will be held in Silicon Valley:

September 19th, 2023, in San Francisco 

  • Time:  3:00 PM – 5:00 PM 
  • Venue:  O’Melveny & Myers LLP. office – Two Embarcadero Center, 28th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94111

September 21st, 2023, in Menlo Park 

  • Time:  3:00 PM – 5:00 PM 
  • Venue:  O’Melveny & Myers LLP. office – 2765 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025

Registering for the Event:

To register for KOSME-beSUCCESS Showcase, please use this form here. Please note, we have limited seats available, and confirmation is required to attend.

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beSUCCESS is a professional media company with a particular focus on startups and tech industry | beSUCCESS는 국내 기업의 해외 진출을 지원하는 미디어 회사로, 실리콘밸리를 포함한 전세계 테크 트렌드와 스타트업 뉴스, 기업가 정신 등 국내 스타트업의 인사이트 확대를 위해 필요한 외신 정보를 직·간접적으로 제공할 뿐만 아니라, 한국의 스타트업 생태계와 출시 소식 등 주요 뉴스를 영문으로 세계 각국에 제공해 한국 스타트업의 글로벌 성공을 지원하는 '연결'의 역할을 합니다.

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