Axis Innovation at South Summit Korea

Axis Innovation is proud to be represented on such a global stage!

Our CEO Ed Frank recently participated in South Summit Korea, held from September 25-27:

Appreciated the invitation to speak at the at the South Summit Korea – as a keynote on Startup-Corporation Engagements with Annick Janssens, Director of the Innovation Center IE Business School, on how startups can secure multinationals as initial customers and market validators, and moderating a panel on  Tech for the greater good with Jeffrey Chan Char, CEO of SOGO Energy, Tokyo, Cong-Thang HUYNH EMBA, CEO Innolab Asia. Four days were filled with engaging conversations and discussions on the opportunities and challenges of Global Deeptech Ecosystem - opportunities and challenges. 

Key takeaways:

·      CVCs in Korea are expanding overseas- over 20 ranging from LG, Hyundai and Samsung to lesser known corporations, NAVER Corp, CJ Foods POSCO, Hanwha Group. Portfolios are heavily focused on Asian startups- but expanding to deal flow in Europe and the US.

·      Seek Greater Good- Entrepreneurs are inspiring us with their solutions to improving reading, helping those with disabilities and protecting the world from bad actors to hep society

·      Asian Startups have Deeptech- with proprietary solutions – but almost exclusively focused on the home market. Recognize the need to partner with global connectors South Summit, 

·      Korean is a language and a mindset- while almost 80 million people speak Korean, not too many international investors do- so Korean startups should be ready with multilingual version and pitch decks to garner interest

·      Catch the Hallyu (Korean Wave)!

Congratulations to Tal Meged of VSL Labs!

South Summit brought the world to Suwon- we are now waiting to bring Suwon to the world! Thank you to a great cohort of speakers.