Asia Pacific

Tech Korea Advocates

Seoul, South Korea|Est. 2020

K-tech and gaming innovation hub

500

Advocates

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Chapter Leads

Chapter Leadership

Alice Chan

Group Lead, Tech Korea Advocates

Alice Chan co-leads Tech Korea Advocates, building a vibrant community for tech professionals in Korea. Born in London, Alice moved to Korea in 2020 and has founded two companies, including a subscription box service that delivered Korean cultural experiences to over 80 countries, growing the community to 100k members, and graduated from the accelerator program Techstars.

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Rancho Lee

Group Lead, Tech Korea Advocates

Rancho is a long-time business consultant and strategist, and serves as the intermediary between Simsan Ventures and South Korea.

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Josie Daw

Group Lead, Tech Korea Advocates

Josie Daw, named a 'Top 100 Technologist to Watch in 2023' by Women Who Code, works as a Full Stack Developer at Shuttle Delivery in Korea, blending her command of web and mobile technologies with a dedication to social change since 2020.

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Launch Pad

Launching in Korea

A practical guide to entering the Korean market, covering what to weigh up before you launch (language, visas, funding eligibility), the step by step process of registering a company in Seoul, and the business culture, events and free workspaces available once you are there.

Key sectors

AIBiotechAdvanced ManufacturingDigital MediaBiomedical

Download the full guide(4-page PDF)

01
Research and plan
Invest Seoul provides a platform for businesses planning to enter the Korean market, with information on Seoul's business environment, industrial clusters and startup support facilities. Key areas include digital media, R&D, high-tech industries, biomedical startups and AI hubs.
02
The language barrier is real
The vast majority of people in business settings and government offices, including banks, tax offices and immigration, do not speak English. This extends to some accelerators as well. For effective communication, especially with people in decision-making roles, hiring Korean translators or interpreters is necessary.
03
Where to find translation
You can find translation services through local directories or specific business support platforms. The Korea Tourism Organization provides free translation and interpretation in Korea by calling 02-1330.
04
Visas and legalities
Understanding visa types is crucial for compliance. A comprehensive list of visa types can be found on the OASIS Visa website, and the Korean government runs a dedicated immigration helpline on 1345 from inside Korea. Your local Korean embassy or consulate is another route. Categories cater to different business needs, including startup visas, investor visas and work visas.
05
Funding has ownership rules
The K Startup Grand Challenge is accessible to all, but other accelerators such as MYSC, Spark Labs, Korea Accelerator Association, Pentaflow and Tap Angel require a Korean CEO to access funding. Businesses owned by individuals of Korean descent (F-4 visa holders) must have over 50% ownership to qualify for certain funding opportunities.
06
Government funding sources
Detailed funding information is published on the OASIS website. The Seoul Metropolitan Government has also created funds such as the Future Innovation Growth Fund to support startups in key industries including AI, biotech and advanced manufacturing.
07
A strong startup ecosystem
Seoul ranks highly in global startup ecosystem reports, with strong R&D investment and a robust talent pipeline. The city offers extensive support through innovation hubs and business districts.
08
Industrial clusters
Key clusters include Digital Media City, the Magok R&D Complex, G-Valley, Seoul Bio Hub and the AI Yangjae Hub, each specialising in different high-tech industries and providing tailored support to businesses.