Altimeter Capital CEO Brad Gerstner discusses with Premier Sage Partners' Ian Park at the UKF 82 Startup Summit held on Jan. 10, 2025, in Silicon Valley. AJP Joseph Kwak
REDWOOD CITY, January 13 (AJP) - The United Korean Founders (UKF) 82 Startup Summit brought together over 1,100 Korean entrepreneurs from around the globe in Silicon Valley on Jan. 10.
The summit, one of the largest overseas Korean startup communities, highlighted the crucial role of innovation in driving Korea's economic growth.
"Korean startups are not just thriving. They are becoming a source of hope and pride, achieving significant milestones in Silicon Valley," said Lim Jung-taek, Korea’s Consul General in San Francisco.
The event featured presentations from 28 startups, with discussions focusing on addressing Korea's economic slowdown and fostering innovation among large corporations.
Coxmax Chairman Lee Kyung-soo emphasized the global impact of the Korean beauty industry, stating, "In 2024, Korea’s cosmetics exports reached 14 trillion won ($9.5 billion), with Cosmax contributing 26 percent of that figure."
Vice Minister Kim Sung-sup of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced the launch of the K-Startup House in Menlo Park, a collaborative hub to support Korean startups in the U.S.
"It is gratifying to see a robust community emerging," said Kim said.
Notable attendees included IonQ co-founder and Duke University professor Kim Jung-sang, who drew parallels between the current state of quantum computing and the early days of personal computers. "Quantum computing today reminds me of computers in the 1960s - an era of enormous potential but requiring decades of effort," said Professor Kim.
The summit, which began in 2018, has experienced significant growth, with attendance more than doubling from 2023. AI expert and Stanford University professor Andrew Ng delivered the keynote address.
Participating institutions included the Seoul Business Agency, the Korea Startup Forum, and the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency.
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