As a dedicated online-media supporting the Korean startup ecosystem, KoreaTechDesk has started a pitching program for promising Korean startups. The first session of ‘KoreaTechDesk Monthly Virtual Pitch’ was held on March 31, 2021 from 10am to 11am KST. The initiative is to promote Korean startups and help them expand their global network.
The first session had Brian Lee, Investment Associate, Chinaaccelerator, SOSV and Gani Putra Lie, Investment Manager, MDI Ventures as the investors and experts. Brian and Gani guided the startups and asked relevant questions regarding their sales, revenue model and future plans. It was a learning experience and networking session for the four promising startups that participated in the virtual pitch. The startups demonstrated their unique products and services to the investor panel and discussed about various challenges they face as entrepreneurs.
The Four startups that participated in the first session of ‘KoreaTechDesk Monthly Virtual Pitch’ were:
Swing Space: This startup is set to offer the first lifestyle-focused private indoor membership golf club with locations that are easily accessible in key districts throughout metropolitan cities in Korea, Japan and SE Asia. Swing Space will offer beautifully designed “hip-luxury” spaces with golf simulators (both open areas and private rooms), community lounges (for hangouts and urgent emails/calls), food & beverage (bar and kitchen), and retail merchandise. Swing Space’s main focus is on providing the best member experience and be the new standard when it comes to excellence in hospitality and services in the golf industry. The business model is optimized for revenue per member vs. square feet requirements per member.
Rezi: This AI-powered resume service helps job seekers create smart resumes to optimize their chances of getting the job through the Application Tracking Systems. Rezi was started in 2015 by a group of graduates led by CEO Jacob Jacquet in the USA. In 2016, Rezi participated in the K-Startup Grand Challenge program and established business in South Korea. Rezi has partnered with JobKorea, a leading employment company in South Korea, to support the increasing number of English-speaking job seekers. Rezi has raised a total of 63 million won (about $50,000) of funding over four rounds from three investors that is K-Startup Grand Challenge, Seoul Global Startup Challenge, and Seoul Metropolitan Government. In times of COVID-19, Rezi is the startp offering its Resume service for free.
Kaesa: It is a luxury accessory brand that is eco-friendly. Kaesa provides sustainable and ethical handbags and accessories that balance beautiful aesthetics with function and utilize vegan leather sourced in Korea. Headquartered in Korea, Kaesa was founded by Amy Chu to disrupt the fashion industry and create a movement to eliminate animal cruelty and promote sustainability.
Wave Prism: The startup, founded by a former Barista, has developed an efficient grinding filter covering all coffee equipment needs, whether coarse, medium, or fine. Its micro filters work to grind coffee beans optimally so that there is reduced loss of beans and more cups of coffee with the same amount of beans. To achieve good quality for coffee, the particles’ size should be matched in a way that balances the brewing time, exposed particle surface area, and the water flow. The grind quality depends on factors such as the grinder cleanness, the Barista’s skills, and the quality of the coffee beans.
About ‘KoreaTechDesk Monthly Virtual Pitch’
KoreaTechDesk has been covering promising startups, important events, and news and partnering with various events and organizations that interest the startup world. Our parent company beSUCESSS has been a pioneering media house supporting the Korean startup ecosystem. In keeping with our goals, we are organising ‘KoreaTechDesk Monthly Startup Pitches’ for Korean startups. These pitches are opportunities for startups to meet potential investors and get one-on-one audience with them.
What can Korean startups look forward to:
- Every month, five startups will get the opportunity to pitch their services and products to two international Venture Companies/Investors.
- Each startup will get 10 minutes of pitching time followed by 10 minutes of Q&A.
- These are one-on-one sessions between VCs and the startups and not open to general audiences.
All Korean startups are welcome to participate in the pitch sessions and send their details to us at [email protected]. We will select five Korean startups every month based on the slot availability. With a successful first session in March 2021, we look forward to bring more investors and startups on board for April 2021.
