Challenging the Global Market: Stories from K-AI Startups
Session Overview
The startup playbook is changing. More founders now take a Global-First approach—prioritizing overseas markets even before finalizing their business model or launching a product. From winning at international tech events to securing investors and customers abroad and opening local offices, how are these companies building a springboard to go global?
In this session, a candid conversation with AI startup founders who are knocking on the world’s door will distill practical lessons and insights.
Speakers
Park Ji-hyuk founded Waddle in 2019 while studying Electrical and Electronic Engineering at KAIST. Waddle develops “Zentoo,” an AI sales assistant that helps online stores increase their purchase conversion rates. The company has rapidly gained global recognition, winning 1st place at the 2025 OpenAI GPT-5 Hackathon, receiving the “Most AGI Potential Award” from OpenAI in 2024, and being selected for Forbes Asia’s 100 to Watch List.
Jung Ji-heon graduated from Sejong Science High School and Seoul National University with a degree in Nuclear Engineering. During his university years, he founded two startups and later gained experience in new business development at Dear Corporation. These experiences shaped him into a versatile founder skilled in design, development, and sales. Most recently, Hyprnote secured investment from Y Combinator, the world’s top accelerator in Silicon Valley, attracting the attention of leading global business figures.
Cho Yeo-joon is an experienced investor with a broad background in global tech companies and venture capital. He began his career at Samil PwC, completed his MBA at Columbia University, and has held key positions at a global hedge fund, Samsung Strategy & Innovation Center, Qualcomm Ventures, and Google as a Partnership Development Manager. After serving as Head of Investment at KB Investment, he is now the CIO (Chief Investment Officer) at The Ventures, where he leads early-stage startup sourcing and portfolio value-up strategies. Leveraging his business development experience and global investment expertise from Google, Qualcomm, and Samsung, he excels at spotting subtle shifts in the market and turning opportunities into action.