The Korea Conference, poised to serve as a platform for pioneering Korean startups with innovative technologies to make their debut in the U.S. market, will commence on August 16.
Excitement is mounting among both investors set to attend the event and audiences who champion the global expansion of Korean technology.
The Korea Conference will commence with a soirée aboard the FantaSea One yacht, situated off the coast of Marina del Rey in Los Angeles, on the evening of August 16. This gathering will be graced by officials, investors, and representatives of participating companies. It marks the inaugural opportunity for introducing promising Korean startups to representatives from major corporations and venture capitalists who are interested in investing in their potential.
The primary event will launch on August 17 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, featuring speeches from organizer Jenny Chu and sponsors.
What distinguishes the Korea Conference from other expo events is its “battle” format for the participating startups. These startups will present their business proposals and undergo evaluation by a panel of judges. The startup that demonstrates the best performance will be bestowed with the top honors.
This year, a total of eight Korean startups will be in the fray. Among them, Daeyoung Chaevi and ShiftBio have already established their presence in the global market after their introduction at last year’s Korea Conference.
Six of the participants are “new faces,” making their debut at the Korea Conference. Notably, these startups represent diverse fields, encompassing healthcare, technology, and the arts, underscoring their impact in their respective domains.
MindAI – Paul Lee
Mind AI is a global AI startup that has earned worldwide recognition for its advanced AI technology, enabling independent logical thinking akin to humans. Mind AI’s AI is purportedly capable of emulating intelligent behavior through the utilization of a ‘canonical’ engine, an innovative method for storing and processing information. It functions as an AI that acquires knowledge in new domains by formulating and validating hypotheses autonomously. The company’s objective is to create an Artificial Generalized Intelligence (AGI) that possesses logicality and closely resembles human attributes, all within a distinctive data structure set apart from other AIs.
ShiftBio – Won-Yong Lee
ShiftBio’s distinctive ‘exosome’ technology, aimed at formulating treatments for rare and intractable diseases, is garnering attention as a promising contender for the next generation of drugs, particularly in the context of challenging illnesses such as cancer. This technology redefines the possibilities of stem cell therapies, harnessing the potential of regenerative immunotherapeutic nanovesicles derived from mesenchymal stem cells. The resulting therapies surpass traditional stem cell approaches in terms of effectiveness and efficiency while simultaneously mitigating the current limitations inherent in cell therapies. ShiftBio has created SBI-102, hinging on stem cells and utilizing their technology to optimize the expression of therapeutic proteins on the exosomes’ surface. More recently, the company has embarked on collaborative research endeavors concerning an AI drug discovery platform alongside Dassault Systèmes, a global conglomerate.
Daeyoung Chaevi – Min-Kyo Jung
Daeyoung Chaevi, an electric vehicle charging service company, offers comprehensive solutions encompassing the entire spectrum from charging infrastructure development, installation, management, to charging services. Positioned as the largest private charging firm in Korea, Chaevi has established a charging network incorporating an impressive 5,000 ultra-fast and fast chargers. The company spearheads the charge towards an innovative charging culture, introducing the Chaevi Pass—a subscription plan, and Chaevi Stay—a relaxation and cultural hub that patrons can enjoy during their charging sessions. In February 2023, it achieved the distinction of being the inaugural Asian charging operator and manufacturer in the United States.
RNR – Ray Seok
RNR offers a proprietary content delivery platform and an automated theater operation solution. The company operates services for global distribution, screening, and IP management platforms catering to theatrical releases and library content. With 8 years of experience, it has designed and implemented solutions for over 2500 commercial movie theaters across international markets, including Korea, China, Vietnam, and Indonesia. RNR oversees the highest quantity of cinema projectors in Korea and extends its expertise to consulting services, including futuristic theater design.
VITABON.Bio – Bo Min Lim
VITABON.Bio is engaged in the research and development of a novel generation of smoking cessation supplements. Their objective is to enhance the current smoking culture by introducing a vitamin vaporizer crafted from naturally sourced plant ingredients. Rooted in herbal medicine principles, the company utilizes extracts from medicinal plants to produce a vapor that is inhaled through an atomizer, allowing for the absorption of health-enhancing functional components into the human body. This innovation is hailed as a fresh form of tobacco alternative, comprising domestic plant-derived ingredients.
Art in Motion Labs – Richard Lee
Art in Motion Labs is a company with a specialization in culture, games, IP licensing, and the entertainment sector. It is dedicated to crafting Korean non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and runs an NFT licensing enterprise that carries a distinct Korean identity. The company is currently engaged in the creation of ‘Impatient Tiger Social Club,’ drawing inspiration from Korea’s symbolic animal, the tiger. By strategically partnering with diverse firms, Art in Motion Labs is expanding into the gaming industry, including the development of FPS (first-person shooter) games that harness IP, enabling the provision of original NFT content.
SP&E – Gyu Kim
SP&E’s LAVOMER is a fire sprinkler uniquely designed to efficiently eliminate smoke and toxic gases during fire incidents, thereby diminishing human casualties. Upon activation by a fire, the sprinkler automatically draws in the expanded smoke and toxic gases from the elevated layer under high pressure, effectively curbing the potential for suffocation. SP&E is dedicated to its mission of extinguishing fires and safeguarding lives by enhancing evacuation opportunities during emergencies, as well as ensuring the visibility and safety of rescue personnel.
Keypair Co. Ltd. – Kevin CK Lee
Keypair is a cybersecurity-focused company distinguished by its utilization of blockchain technology and National Intelligence Service KCMVP certified products. The company’s primary area of expertise lies in IoT security chips. Keypair offers security chips tailored for the financial sector, smart OTP, and National Intelligence Service certified chips. It has introduced Korea’s inaugural card-type security wallet, which has gained global traction. Additionally, the company has developed a Cold Wallet—an enduring card-style wallet designed for storing a variety of assets, including cryptocurrency assets and NFTs. Beyond this, Keypair manages its independent NFT marketplace and actively engages in the certificate business through NFTs.
BY HOONSIK WOO [woo.hoonsik@koreadaily.com]
