Korea Startup Forum Hosts K-Founders Connect in Singapore
Korean entrepreneurs met to discuss strategies for expanding business operations within the Singaporean market.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Startups
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The Korea Startup Forum held its K-Founders Connect event at The Westin Hotel in Singapore, bringing together dozens of industry leaders. The gathering focused on facilitating market entry and strengthening ties between Korean founders and local startups.
Why it matters
This event serves to bolster the K-Founders Network by creating a collaborative environment for Korean entrepreneurs to share insights on international expansion. Strengthening these cross-border connections helps Korean companies navigate the complexities of operating in foreign markets.
The K-Founders Connect event hosted over 60 participants at The Westin Hotel to discuss regional expansion. It remains unknown how many of these attendees will secure formal partnerships as a result of the networking session.
The players
Samuel Rhee
He serves as the CEO of Endowus, which is a digital asset management platform.
Lee Jinho
He is the CEO of RiDM, a company specializing in semiconductor architecture.
Hwang In-moo
He is a co-founder of the investment service provider known as ADDX.
Korea Startup Forum
This organization represents the interests of Korean startups and facilitates global networking initiatives.
Ministry of SMEs and Startups
This is a South Korean government body responsible for promoting startup growth and international competitiveness.
The details
Attendees exchanged local market intelligence and practical experiences from Korean entrepreneurs currently operating in Singapore. Following the main presentations, participants engaged in networking sessions intended to introduce businesses and identify future collaboration opportunities.
Timeline
October 27, 2026: The K-Founders Connect event was held in Singapore.
Market Landscape
This event represents an expansion of the K-Founders Network project, which is actively managed by the Korea Institute of Startup and Entrepreneurship Development. The initiative aims to mirror this Singapore-based strategy with upcoming networking efforts in the U.S., Japan, and China.
For entrepreneurs and investors, these networking events provide direct access to information on market entry hurdles and regional startup ecosystems. Participants can utilize these connections to identify potential local partners or gain deeper insights into the Singaporean regulatory landscape.
The takeaway
Building strong local networks is a crucial step for startups looking to successfully establish a presence in new international markets. Entrepreneurs should prioritize such forums to exchange actionable market data and vet potential strategic partners before making significant investments.
Further reading
Learn more about global emerging businesses by visiting our Startups section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 조선일보.
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