Korea Startup Podcast
By Korea Startup Podcast
An interview space where entrepreneurs will share their experiences. From their biggest mistakes to the keys to their success.
If you want to share your learnings with us, send us an email at koreastartuppodcast@gmail.com.
Korea Startup PodcastNov 28, 2022
#24: Leading the Digital Evolution in Hospitality - David Solomito, Global CMO at Yanolja Cloud
Dive into the dynamic world of global tech transformation with David Solomito, the Global CMO at Yanolja Cloud. With a rich career spanning American Express, NBA, BMW, and AWS, David shares the remarkable journey that led him to his current role.
In this insightful episode, explore how Yanolja Cloud, a leading provider of AI-based SaaS solutions for the hospitality and leisure industries, is reshaping the digital landscape. Discover the synergy between its parent company, Yanolja, Korea’s #1 travel app, and Yanolja Cloud's mission to revolutionize the industry.
Key points of discussion:
- How did David's diverse career path pave the way to his role at Yanolja Cloud?
- What inspired him to join Yanolja Cloud and lead its global expansion?
- Unpacking Yanolja Cloud's comprehensive suite of solutions for digital transformation.
- Leveraging customer insights from Yanolja to enhance Yanolja Cloud's offerings.
- The challenges of digitizing the hospitality sector and Yanolja Cloud's strategy to overcome them.
- Yanolja Cloud's unique approach to global branding and localization.
- The fusion of cultures and lessons learned from working in a multicultural team.
- The impact of AI on the future of hospitality and some exciting services on the horizon.
#23: Some Timeless Factors of Startup Investment - Michael Lee, Partner at SB Partners
After many years of experience navigating diverse market scenarios and managing hundreds of millions in private equity and venture capital, Michael Lee, Partner at SB Partners, distills the key timeless principles of startup evaluation.
Whether you're an investor or entrepreneur, this episode offers crucial insights for prioritizing investment factors and refining decision-making strategies.
Key points of discussion:
- What traits are essential for founders to succeed in building startups?
- How does a founder's ambition influence startup success? How do you distinguish genuine ambition from delusion?
- How does a founder's track record impact investment decisions, and for first-time founders?
- What tips do you give to founders seeking investment?
- What are the typical startup evolution process and the crucial skills founders need for successful growth?
- When investing in startups, what are the Tier 2 and Tier 3 factors you take into account?
Michael LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-lee-4b38488/
#22: Foreigners in Seoul building a career at Picky - Sharon (Frontend developer) and Karol (Product and Operation Lead) at Picky
Understand Korea through the eyes of Sharon and Karol, two foreigners driven by a passion for the Korean culture, who moved to Seoul, and are currently working at a startup called Picky (Featured in our 5th episode).
- Adapting to the Korean work environment
- Working 12 hours a day?
- Do you have to drink soju to get along with your boss and coworkers?
- Will you be fired if you take more than two days off in a row?
- Is working in an international startup like Picky different from a big corporate?
- Does language pose a significant barrier in the working environment?
- What to expect as a foreigner in Korea
- Will you like to live in Korea if you like K-Topics? (K-Drama, K-Pop, K-Beauty…)
- Is Korea as we see in K-Dramas?
- What are the main expectations and disappointments when moving to Korea?
- Does the perception of Korea differ between visiting and living experiences?
- How challenging is it for foreigners to make Korean friends?
- Tips for Moving to Korea
- Initial difficulties and gaining an understanding
- Allien card (ID) and its power
- Trash system
- Online purchases, discovering Coupang
- Grocery shopping
- Essential Apps for Survival in Korea
#21: Ultimate Guide to Surviving the South Korean Startup Ecosystem - Albert Shafiev, General Manager at Lmeca
Albert is one one the most experienced foreigners involved in the South Korean startup scene. His extensive career gives him a full perspective of all the different aspects of this ecosystem.
Today, we are lucky to discuss with him all the relevant matters that a foreign entrepreneur must know if planning to do business in such a unique country.
1. Comparative Ecosystem Analysis and Dispelling Misconceptions:
- Explore key differences between the startup ecosystem in South Korea and in other countries and their impact on success.
- Be aware of the common misconceptions foreign entrepreneurs have about South Korea, and how to avoid them.
2. Financial Support: Fundraising and Government Initiatives:
- Understand how fundraising and financial activities work for startups in South Korea.
- Identify common sources of funding, prominent startup accelerators, and incubators available for foreign entrepreneurs.
- Explore government startup initiatives, tax incentives, grants, and practical advice for successful application.
3. Networking, Collaboration, and Recruitment:
- Discover strategies for building strong relationships, available resources, recommended events, and organizations.
- Uncover the role of the foreign startup community in South Korea, including the benefits and challenges of collaborating with other foreign startups.
- Address recruitment challenges faced by foreign startups and provide insights on navigating the recruitment process, including cultural and linguistic barriers.
#20 Effective Leadership: Insights from Deloitte's Executive Director - Richard Wilson, Executive Director at Deloitte
Deloitte is one of the largest and most prominent professional services firms globally.
In this episode, we delve into an interview with Richard, the executive director at Deloitte, uncovering his expertise, leadership qualities, and the key factors that lead him to his esteemed position.
Leadership
- What are Richard’s key leadership principles?
- How does Richard balance being a friendly and demanding leader?
- You lead people and manage things: Richard’s approach to leadership
- How does Richard effectively handle internal conflicts among employees?
Secrets to reaching a high Position in a big corporate
- The key to success: Constant learning culminated in Richard's attainment of his position at Deloitte, as all he had learned fell into place
- Why does Richard consider that soft skills are the most crucial skills for a prosperous top-position career?
- Negotiation learnings after closing 5 billion dollars deals
E-Discovery
- What is E-Discovery, and its importance in litigation processes
- How do Richard and his team approach the revision of millions of documents in an E-Discovery process
- Tech Assistant Reviewer (TAR). The AI technology that is revolutionizing the E-discovery process
#19: How to Create a Diverse, Inclusive, and Efficient Startup Team: Insights from Seoul Robotics People Team
Today we are joined by Seoul Robotics People Team, who will share their insights and experiences managing a team of 71 employees from 14 different countries.
As one of South Korea's most prominent startups, they'll discuss the tactics, dynamics, and resources they've utilized to create a thriving and inclusive workplace culture.
Diversity and inclusion
- Why is it crucial to create a diverse and inclusive team (Gender, nationalities, skills…)
- How Seoul Robotics fostered diversity inside the team
- Best practices to encourage collaboration and teamwork across departments and teams
- Why is English so important in the team
Company Culture
- How Seoul Robotics cultivates a positive company culture
- Programs and initiatives that foster a sense of community and belonging among employees
- How Seoul Robotics measures employee satisfaction and addresses areas of disengagement
- Tactics to encourage open and honest feedback within the company
Recruitment
- How to effectively apply to Seoul Robotics
- How Seoul Robotics attracts top talent and effective methods for reaching potential candidates
- How Seoul Robotics evaluates whether a candidate is a good fit for the company culture and values
- Best strategies used to retain employees and make them feel valued and appreciated
People team:
Cindy Park, Director of People at Seoul Robotics
Amy Lee, People Manager at Seoul Robotics
Tony Martinez, Global Tech Recruiting Manager
Jack Jang, Community Manager
#18: Is Working at a Global VC a Good Path to Becoming a Founder? JaeHee Chang (Partner) & Gustav Birol (Senior associate) at Antler
Antler is the world’s most active early-stage investor supporting founders from Day 0, providing capital, accelerator program, and resources to early-stage startups and founders in 25 locations globally.
Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with two of Antler's members, JaeHee Chang, Partner in Korea, and Gustav Birol, Senior Associate for Global Portfolio, who will share their experiences working at Antler, building the startup ecosystem.
JaeHee and Gustav`s startup journey:
- What motivated JaeHee to leave her corporate job and enter the startup ecosystem? Was it a wise decision?
- How has JaeHee's previous corporate experience helped her excel in the startup world?
- Does JaeHee have any regrets about not starting in the startup world after finishing university?
- What are the long-term objectives and vision of JaeHee and Gustav in the startup ecosystem?
- Why joining 500 Startups didn't lead JaeHee to become a founder?
- What led Gustav to join Antler instead of pursuing the founder path?
Working at Antler:
- What makes Antler's emphasis on people and ultra early-stage startups so distinctive and effective?
- What is the Antler program, and who is eligible to apply? What are the prerequisites, and how much funding do the startups receive?
- What is a typical day like for JaeHee and Gustav at Antler, and what motivates them to enjoy their work so much?
- What are the key takeaways from working at a VC/Accelerator?
#17: Learn How Electric Cars Will Transform Our Mobility - Mincheol Lee, ex-Tesla and Founder and CEO of RIDE
After being the Head of Corporate Sales at Tesla for four years, Mincheol decided to build RIDE, which aims to accelerate the world's transition to sustainable energy transportation through EV pre-sales, sales, and vehicle management.
In this episode, we will delve into RIDE's business and the electric car industry, as well as hear Mincheon's perspective on Elon Musk's predictions and unconventional projects.
- What makes RIDE innovative and why and how they exceeded its growth expectations?
- Why is selling electric cars totally different from selling gasoline or diesel-powered vehicles?
- What are the biggest challenges facing the EV industry?
- Are electric cars really sustainable? What needs to happen for them to be totally eco-friendly?
- What business lines has RIDE opened around EVs and What`s its roadmap and plan for going global?
- How did RIDE raise its Series A funding, and what metrics are important to investors in this business?
- What is RIDE's user acquisition strategy, and how does it plan to scale it? Which channels have been most effective in acquiring users, and how will it diversify its acquisition strategy?
- When does Mincheol predict that the autonomous mobility-as-a-service industry will boom, and what obstacles need to be overcome?
- Why does Mincheol think that Elon Musk is leading this industry, and what is his opinion on Musk's predictions and projects (such as tunnels under Las Vegas, the Supercharger network, and the use of cameras instead of radars)?
#16: Korean Market Entry: Tips for global companies and startups - Eyal Mamou, Founder and CEO at KOISRA
KOISRA is a leading business consultancy and outsourcing firm specializing in the South Korean market.
Its CEO, Eyal, will share with all of us the learnings he gained after helping hundreds of companies develop successful businesses in Korea since 2009:
- Key First Steps to Successfully Enter the Korean Market
- Best ways to source local partners
- Overcoming the Biggest Challenges Faced by Global Companies in Korea
- Avoiding Traps: Tips for Dealing with a Korean Business Partner
- Building Strong and Lasting Relationships with Korean Companies: Essential Elements
- Understanding Cultural Differences: Why Global and Korean Companies Misunderstand Each Other
- Pitfalls to Avoid When Entering the Korean Market: Common Mistakes Made by Global Companies
- Exploring Opportunities: 4 hidden Industries with Promising Potential in Korea
#15: Unlocking the Secrets of Talent Attraction and HR Trends - Gordon Dudley, CEO of RDI Worldwide
Today´s guest is Gordon Dudley, CEO of RDI Worldwide, Korea´s n1 talent attraction agency.
In this episode we will discuss the following topics:
- Gordon´s journey as an entrepreneur (biggest lessons, failures, hard moments, and future plans)
- Benefits of outsourcing the recruitment process to a talent attraction agency.
- The impact of AI and Chatgpt in the HR world.
- Tips for applicants to write better cover letters and perform better in interviews.
- Korean new trends in the workforce and company culture.
#14: The Super Apps phenomenon, what you need to know - Pascal Kurzawa, CGO of Wallet Engine and Co-founder of Verso Finance
Today´s guest is Pascal Kurzawa, the CGO of Wallet engine and the co-founder of Verso Finance. Both fintech and web3-related companies.
In this episode we will talk about “Super apps”:
- Concept of super apps and business model.
- Benefits and disadvantages for both companies and users
- Branch of services of super apps
- Most successful examples (Wechat, Kakao, Grab..)
- The reason behind their popularity in Asia and not in the rest of the world
- Embedded finance in Super apps (Peer-to-peer payments, loans, investment..)
- Future of super apps (Example: Facebook's intention to become a super app)
Additionally, Pascal will share his experience as a VC Advisor for web3 and fintech projects both globally and in Korea.
#13: Fostering Innovation in Large Corporations - Dmitrii Vastianov, Innovation department of Santander Bank UK
It's commonly assumed that startups are the primary source of innovation, while large companies struggle to innovate at the same level. In this episode, we've invited Dmitrii Vastianov, who worked in Santander Bank's innovation department in the UK for several years and gained firsthand experience with various strategies for promoting internal innovation.
We are going to explore how the innovation department of a corporate operates by getting to know Dmitrii´s experience building “My Home Manager”, a platform that brings together services to help Santander mortgage customers manage and get more from their homes.
He will also share his opinion on the differences between entrepreneurship (building a product externally) and intrapreneurship (building a product inside a company), in terms of speed, access to capital, autonomy, and the benefits and disadvantages for the entrepreneurs. We hope you enjoy this insightful discussion.
#12: From University Student to Successful SaaS Entrepreneur - Minseung Seon, CEO of Splab
Hello and welcome to a new episode of Korea Startup Podcast.
Today we invited Miseung Seon, CEO and co-founder at Splab, a meeting scheduling platform for businesses and individuals.
She will be sharing: the experience of entering into the startup world while being a university student, the keys to making a SaaS work successfully, 500 and Sparklabs acceleration programs, generating trust on the field for pre-seed investment, and her multiple learning from trying out anything!
Hope you enjoy it!
#11: The Gaming Industry in Korea - Genya Smagin, Metaverse brand partnerships in SK Telecom
The gaming industry has experienced significant growth in recent years, with South Korea emerging as a prominent leader in the field.
Today's guest is Genya Smagin, Who has been in charge of strategic investment in the field of Game and Metaverse in SK Telecom for several years. With his help, we will explore this industry globally and locally, talking about the types of business models, differences between mobile and PC/console games, delving into the role of startups in the industry, which is primarily dominated by large studios, and ultimately, uncovering the reasons behind Korea's success in the gaming world.
We will also take advantage of Genya's expertise in investments to discuss the investment climate in South Korea. This will include valuable insights into the IPO market and strategic investment tips.
Hope you enjoy!
#10: The power of creativity and arts in business - Sarah Philomena, Founder of VSLB & V-Spaces
Sarah used to be a professional dancer who decided to switch her career to move to Korea and become an entrepreneur.
In Seoul, she founded VSLB, a creative studio which specializes in curating virtual spaces for brands.
In this episode, we will be inspired by Sarah's story, which illustrates the connection between creativity and business and proves that starting your own business does not require a specific educational background, but rather, a passion and a willingness to learn along the way.
Additionally, we will explore the potential of virtual reality and virtual spaces in marketing, as well as their future applications in the metaverse.
#9: Exploring the future of Air mobility - Minyoung Ahn, COO and CSO of PLANA
Do you imagine air taxis? Well, In today`s episode, we delve into the exciting world of eVTOLs (Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) (Electric Aircrafts for the rest of us…)
Our special guest is Minyoung, the COO and CSO of PLANA, the first South Korean startup to develop this type of aircraft. Recently, PLANA raised 10 million dollars in funding.
During this episode, we will explore the eVTOL market, its key players, leading countries, and growth projections. We'll also discuss the benefits and challenges of eVTOLs and their potential applications in various markets such as urban air mobility, cargo, military, and healthcare.
Lastly, Minyoung will share insights on the fundraising process for hardware startups and PLANA's plans for the newly acquired funds.
#8: Overview of the South Korean Startup Ecosystem 2023 - Philip Lee, Founder and CEO of Pickool
Welcome to our overview of the South Korean startup ecosystem. Today, we invited Philip Lee, the founder, and CEO of Pickool, a media company focused on tech and startups in Korea. With over 1,300 articles written.
In this episode, we go deep into the past and present of the startup ecosystem in Korea, understanding how the role of conglomerates such as Samsung and Hyundai, together with the government shaped the industry.
We'll also look into the current investment climate, the most promising industries for building a startup, some cultural differences to keep in mind, and current challenges entrepreneurs are facing.
All of this, by comparing this market with other countries and industries to provide a global perspective.
#7: Discovering the secrets of effective marketing in Korea - Joel Roberts, Founder of El Company Global
As foreigners living in Korea, how many of us have been surprised when realizing the importance of business cards over LinkedIn, or the prevalence of Naver over Google, and even how different the copywriting style is, compared to the US or Europe.
To help us understand these cultural differences and learn the most effective marketing strategies in Korea, we have invited Joel Roberts, the founder of El Company Global, a marketing and consulting firm based in Seoul.
During this episode, Joel will share the most important advertising platforms, how to effectively communicate with a Korean audience, key marketing trends for 2023, and many other insights on both B2C and B2B marketing.
This episode can help a lot your company, don't miss it!
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#6: Unleashing the power of AI for pet health - Yongju Shim, CEO of Ujura
Today we are joined by Yongju Shim, the CEO of Ujura, a startup that is dedicated to the early detection of pet diseases.
As Shim says, pets cannot speak, and by the time owners, or as Shim prefers to call them, guidances realize something is wrong with their companions, it's sometimes too late. Ujura has developed a device called Catmos, which you attach to your cat necklace, and through AI technology, it identifies behavioral patterns that may indicate possible health issues.
In this episode, we will understand the technology behind Catmos, its potential applications, and its challenges. Finally, Shim will also share how he plans to make Ujura a global leader in the pet insurance industry.
If you are interested in AI technology and the pet industry in the world and particularly in South Korea, this is an episode you don't want to miss.
#5: From a Kbeauty community to connecting brands and content creators at scale - Jihong Lee, CEO of Picky
Today we are with Jihong Lee - CEO of Picky.
Picky has two different business lines, it started as a skincare community platform, and later on, it opened a new service called “Picky for creators”, which enables brands to hire content creators at scale with minimal cost and maximum efficiency.
Picky is based in Seoul, and it is composed of an international team, being English is the company's internal language. This diversity of nationalities was motivated by Jihong's goal to create a company with great potential for growth and expansion.
In this episode, Jihong explains how he managed to create a community on Instagram for skincare in a really short period of time, and how that community served and continues to serve as a driving force for his business.
He will also talk about the needs and goals of brands and influencers when working together and the different evolutionary stages of Picky, also in times of pandemic.
Hope you enjoy!
#4: One of South Korea's largest global startup accelerators - John Park, Managing Director of Sparklabs
Today we are with John Park - Managing Director of Sparklabs, one of Korea's largest global startup accelerators.
Sparklabs focuses on digital startups, with a special interest in the ones that analyze, collect, or use data. It consists of an intensive 4-month program that measures the performance of the startups through weekly KPIs.
As a global accelerator, Sparklabs offers a global network of mentors who support startups to expand overseas fast and efficiently.
John explains how an acceleration program works from the inside, how is the selection process, investment, the characteristics of the program, and the follow-up after its completion.
He will also talk about the main difficulties startups are experiencing in this time of economic recession, and what are the keys for Korea to become a bigger global startup ecosystem.
Don't miss it!
#3: A solid example of a successful foreigner-founded startup in Korea - Jason Boutte, CEO of Shuttle
Hello and welcome to a new episode of Korea startup podcast.
Today we have with us Jason Boutte - the CEO of Shuttle, a food delivery company based in Korea.
Shuttle has been operating in Korea for years and has managed to create its own path in this industry thanks to a focus on the foreign community, and a selection of restaurants based on quality instead of quantity.
In this episode, Jason will share the learnings he got from his many years of experience in Korea; From the reason why he fell in love with it, to what has become the biggest obstacle to his business and his biggest nightmare due to unexpected cultural differences.
Finally, he will talk about the future plans of Shuttle to expand globally through a really interesting and unusual strategy.
Hope you enjoy!
#2: The Figma of writers - Stan Choi, CEO of Heming
Today we have with us Stan Choi - the founder of Heming.
Heming is “The Figma for Writers”. It is a SaaS powered by AI technology that inspires you to write in a creative and persuasive way out of picture analysis. Check out their website: https://heming.ink/.
In this episode, Stand will let us know about his career based on the dream of generating tons of money and getting a Rolex.
He will also share his philosophy on how to develop and grow businesses. To finish, he will make a deep comparison between the American and Korean startup ecosystems.
We hope you enjoy it!
#1: Revolutionizing the video game industry with empathy - Parag Mankeekar, CEO of RealLives
Today we have with us Parag Mankeekar - the founder of RealLives. RealLives is a simulation game that promotes global empathy by allowing its users to experience a full life as if they were born in different parts of the world.
RealLives was listed in the top 5 simulation games on CNET out of about 1200 other games, and it attracted the interest of prominent personalities like Bill Gates.
In this episode, Parag will talk about why he decided to leave his medical career, after setting up 3 hospitals and working in humanitarian disaster zones, to generate a global impact through Real Lives.
He will also share the biggest challenges social projects face, why he chose Korea as the main focus to scale up RealLives, and why empathy is more urgent than ever. Hope you enjoy!