PEN CTA: Beyond the Pitch - Connection to Commerce
🇺🇸 PEN CTA: Beyond the Pitch – From Connections to Commerce
— The Premier Event for U.S. - APAC Cross-Border Opportunities
📋 Event Overview
PEN CTA is an exclusive, invitation-only event designed to forge real business opportunities between 30+ innovative Korean startups and key leaders within the U.S. ecosystem. Our 2025 event features a dynamic, dual-track format: while our main stage hosts high-level panel discussions and rapid-fire pitches, pre-arranged, private 1-on-1 meetings will take place concurrently in a dedicated networking zone. This is where connections become commerce.
🎯 Program Objectives
🤝 High-Value Connections: Direct access to a curated group of founders, investors, and corporate decision-makers.
💡 Actionable Insights: Learn from global leaders during our expert panel sessions on U.S. market entry and AI.
📈 Deal Sourcing & Partnerships: Discover your next investment or strategic partner from a vetted delegation of 30+ Korean tech startups.
🌐 Ecosystem Bridge: Serve as the central hub for fostering collaboration between the U.S. and APAC startup ecosystems.
📅 Event Information
Date: Friday, October 17, 2025
Time: 2:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Venue: Cure, 345 Park Ave S, New York
⏰ Detailed Program
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Guest Arrival, RSVP Check-in & Welcome Networking
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM: Opening Remarks & U.S. Corporate/EDO Pitches
2:30 PM - 3:00 PM: Panel Session 1: The First 12 Months: Common Pitfalls and Keys to Success for Foreign Founders
3:00 PM - 3:45 PM: Innovation Showcase: Korean Startup Pitches (Part 1)
3:45 PM - 4:15 PM: Panel Session 2: How Global Capital Shapes Innovation Across Borders
4:15 PM - 5:00 PM: Innovation Showcase: Korean Startup Pitches (Part 2)
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Strategic Networking Reception
🎤 Featured Panel Sessions
(Please note: Panelists are being confirmed and will be updated.)
🌏 The First 12 Months: Common Pitfalls and Keys to Success for Foreign Founders:
Description: A practical discussion with on-the-ground experts about the real challenges and keys to success for international startups navigating their first year in the U.S. market.
Speakers
Speaker 1: Washington DC Economic Partnership - Kathrin VanLiew
Speaker 2: Select Florida - Madison Lawson
Moderator: Elpis Labs - Chrystee Xing
🤖 How Global Capital Shapes Innovation Across Borders:
Description: An investor-focused conversation on how global capital flows are influencing innovation, what top VCs are looking for in cross-border startups, and where the next big opportunities lie.
Speakers
Moderator: World Economic Forum - Saemoon Yoon
Speaker 1: Deerfield - Karen Heidelberger
Speaker 2: Decile Group - Long Pham
Speaker 3: Third Prime - Michael Kim
🚀 Featured Startups
This event will showcase 30+ high-growth Korean technology companies poised for global expansion across sectors like Healthcare, Bio, AI, and SaaS.
➡️ View the Full List of Attending Startups Here
💼 Target Participants
Venture Capital & CVCs seeking global deal flow.
Corporate Leaders in charge of innovation and strategic partnerships.
Founders & Executives interested in cross-border growth.
Government Representatives from U.S. and APAC economic development agencies.
📞 Contact Information
Contact: [email protected]
Join us for an exclusive opportunity to connect with the next wave of global innovators in the heart of New York City.