Jason Cowett, the managing principal of Odyssey, expressed his anticipation to meet and assist more successful companies through the Korea Conference. “I’m excited to learn more about the Korean American community in the U.S., not only to gain insights into Korean culture, but also to explore other Asian countries that I haven’t been exposed to before.”
Hailing from San Diego with 20 years of investment and management experience, Cowett joined Odyssey after completing his studies at Boston College and briefly working in banking. Odyssey is an official exhibitor at the 2023 Korea Conference.
Initially established as a hedge fund over 30 years ago, Odyssey’s objective is to enhance traditional manufacturing and service companies through acquisitions and mergers from its Santa Monica headquarters.
Notable companies in their portfolio include ATS Group, Barcodes, CPI, Duravant, and Service Champions. Cowett specializes in mergers and divestitures, with a primary focus on U.S. companies. Instead of spinning off acquired companies for profit, Odyssey’s expertise lies in helping them expand into global enterprises.
Cowett views the mixer as an exciting opportunity to connect with Korean American businesses. He stated, “Korea’s impressive growth has been a significant accomplishment for the Korean American community, and we hope this conference will pave the way for new opportunities for Korean American businesses.”
When asked for advice on navigating the challenges posed by the pandemic and inflation in running a business, Cowett emphasized the crucial role of pricing. He stated, “As costs and labor continue to rise, pricing strategies for products and services become life-or-death decisions for companies. While labor costs can be reduced through automation and commoditization, it’s even more essential to ensure that profits are sufficient to cover all expenses. Naturally, consumer resistance must also be taken into account, necessitating a strategic approach.”
The Korea Daily also inquired about the future of artificial intelligence from the head of a firm that acquires and invests in manufacturing and service companies. Cowett responded, “Automated manufacturing sites without human labor have already become practical and mainstream. There have been substantial investments, and the level of investment has increased over time. However, AI applications such as chat GPT have not yet reached the stage of industrialization where investment is feasible. I believe more time is required.”
The Korea Conference, which will provide networking opportunities for Korean and American entrepreneurs to exchange information and foster connections, is scheduled to take place in Los Angeles on August 16 and 17. The VIP dinner on August 16 will be hosted on the FantaSea One yacht in Marina del Rey Harbor, followed by the main event on the subsequent day at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
BY INSEONG CHOI [ichoi@koreadaily.com]
