The Circle FC hosts first Indo-Korean Startup community meetup at the Embassy of India, Seoul
In a pioneering move to enhance collaboration between Indian and Korean entrepreneurial ecosystems, The Circle: Founders Club (The Circle FC) hosted its first Indo-Korean Startup Community Meetup at the Embassy of India in Seoul. The landmark event saw participation from a diverse group of over 80 individuals, comprising more than 50 founders, alongside investors, members of the academia, government officials, media, and industry experts.
The meetup proved to be a significant stepping stone towards forging stronger ties between the startup landscapes of India and Korea. By opening channels for easier market access, removing operational barriers, and enabling seamless collaboration, the initiative aims at fostering innovation across borders.
The gathering commenced with an engaging address from Mr. Nishi Kant Singh, Deputy Chief of Mission of India in South Korea, who shed light on numerous initiatives taken by the Indian government to nurture startups. Following this, the event saw Aram Han from the Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development (KISED) discuss the global K-Startup Center (KSC) program, which The Circle FC proudly partners in India since 2022.
The helm of the evening was Nemesisa Ujjain, Head of The Circle FC, who provided valuable insights into the burgeoning startup ecosystem in India and the opportunities it presents. Ujjain elaborated on the concerted efforts of The Circle FC to cultivate a vibrant Indo-Korean startup community, propelling both nations towards mutual economic and technological advancements.
A pivotal moment of the evening was the introduction of the KSC India 2024 startup cohort. This cohort had the unique chance to mingle with the alumni startups from the KSC 2022 and KSC 2023 batches. It was not just about introductions; the gathering buzzed with the energy of new connections being made over shared interests, complemented by the warmth of Indian snacks and chai, enriching the sense of community and collaboration.
Nemesisa Ujjain, reflecting on the event’s success, shared, “We are immensely thankful for everyone who participated and contributed to making this event a memorable endeavor. At The Circle FC, we are devoted to bridging gaps between entrepreneurs, investors, and experts globally. Our mission is to enable collaborative successes that pave the future for technology and business. We eagerly anticipate organizing more such gatherings that nurture connections and strive for excellence across nations.”
The event could not have been successful without the supportive environment fostered by the Embassy of India in Korea, especially praised were the efforts of Ananya Agarwal (Head of Chancery/First Secretary). Partnerships with entities such as Simsan Ventures and Unicorn Incubator have also been instrumental in furthering the goals of this initiative, aiming to strengthen the innovation ecosystems of both countries.
The K-Startup Center (KSC) program, a brainchild of the Korea Institute of Startups & Entrepreneurship Development (KISED) under the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Government of South Korea, stands as a testament to the strong commitment towards supporting startups. Through events like these and strategic partnerships, The Circle FC continues to play a pivotal role in weaving a closer knit between the startup communities of India and Korea, promising a future ripe with opportunities and collaborations.
