Korean AI Founders Night
โ๐ฐ๐ท Korean AI Founders Night
โFor Koreans building their AI startup in the U.S.
โ๐ฃ๏ธ Please note: This event will be conducted entirely in Korean.
โHanwha AI Center and Sazze Partners invite the Korean AI founder and builder community to an evening of real founder stories, candid conversations, and meaningful connections.
โWhether you're already running a startup, exploring an idea, or simply curious about starting something of your own, this night is for you.
โ๐ก What to Expect
โThe evening will feature two panel discussions with Korean founders at different stages of their entrepreneurial journeys โ from seasoned Silicon Valley entrepreneurs to the next generation of founders building AI companies today.
โPart I โ The Silicon Valley Founder Journey
Perspectives from seasoned Korean founders (John S. Kim & Min Pyo Hong)
โ๐บ๐ธ Building and scaling a company in the U.S.
โ๐ How the startup landscape has changed over the years
โ๐ญ Lessons, setbacks, and perspectives gained along the way
โPart II โ Building AI Today
Stories from the next generation of Korean AI founders (Kangsan Wyi, Yeon Kim & Sangha Park)
โ๐ Going from idea to product
โ๐ฏ Finding early customers and product-market fit
โ๐ค Building and competing in today's AI landscape
โ* Panel Discussions moderated by Yoojeong Do
โ๐ Agenda
โ6:00 PM โ Doors Open & Networking
โ6:25 PM โ Welcome Remarks
โHanwha AI Center ร Sazze Partners
โ6:30 PM โ Part I: The Silicon Valley Founder Journey
Perspectives from seasoned Korean FoundersโJohn S. Kim | Founder & CEO of Sendbird & delight.ai
โMin Pyo Hong | Founder & CEO of SEWORKS
โ7:00 PM โ Part II: Building AI Today
Stories from the next generation of Korean AI foundersโKangsan Wyi | Founder & CEO of Arclow
โSangha Park | Founder of Light Anchor (YC P26)
โ7:30 PM โ Closing & Networking
โFood and drinks will be provided ๐พ๐ฅ
โAbout HAC
โHanwha AI Center (HAC) is a private membership for all those dedicated to AI. As a hub for innovation, HAC brings together passionate entrepreneurs, researchers, and visionaries to explore the societal and technological impacts of AI on human life.
โAbout Sazze Partners
โSazze Partners is an early-stage venture capital firm that specializes in backing Korean entrepreneurs at the start of their company's lifecycle and supporting them through growth stages. They act as long-term partners by leveraging their extensive network, operational expertise, and market intelligence platform to supercharge growth. With a strong presence in both the US and Korea, the fund supports startups scale through cross-border expansion, go-to-market strategies, and global fundraising. Notable portfolio companies include Upstage, Nitra, Paraform, and Olive International.
โOur sponsor: K&L Gates
โK&L Gates is a global law firm advising startups and investors throughout the business lifecycleโfrom formation and venture financings to strategic transactions, regulatory matters, and IPOs. With a strong presence across the United States and Korea, the firm helps emerging companies and their investors navigate cross-border opportunities and build for long-term growth.