"'Covering the Bare Ground' Startups Get a 'Sponge' Boost"…Samsung C-Lab Outside Praised

C-Lab Outside Supports Startups with Business Grants, Customized Growth Programs, and Participation in Global IT Exhibitions
Startups Say "Become Our 'Guide' and 'Running Mate' on Uncharted Paths"

An Seo-hyung, CEO of Bitbyte, Choi Yoo-jin, Vice CEO of Classum, and Lee Sang-gi, CEO of QMIT, who received support from Samsung Electronics C-Lab Outside

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] "We laid down a sponge on the ground for startups that have to headbutt the bare ground"

According to Samsung Electronics Newsroom on the 3rd, startup representatives supported by Samsung Electronics' startup nurturing program 'C-Lab Outside' unanimously said, "C-Lab Outside has become a 'guide' and 'running mate' for startups walking an uncharted path."

C-Lab Outside is Samsung Electronics' external incubating program that helps startups with innovative ideas focus solely on their work and grow. Samsung Electronics provides startups selected for C-Lab Outside with extensive support including ▲up to 100 million KRW in business support funds ▲participation in global IT exhibitions ▲customized growth programs for startups ▲free occupancy of dedicated spaces ▲use of employee cafeterias ▲commuting shuttle buses, among others. The C-Lab Outside Demo Day held on the 2nd was also aimed at showcasing the achievements of startups nurtured over the past year and connecting new business opportunities. Lee Sang-gi, CEO of QMIT, a startup offering data-based athlete injury management solutions, recalled the support process, saying, "C-Lab Outside, where those who have gone down paths we haven't yet taken act as 'guides,' was a program I found attractive as soon as I learned about it."

As CEO Lee mentioned, Samsung Electronics assigns a dedicated partner to each startup settled in C-Lab Outside and communicates closely to jointly seek optimal solutions tailored to the nature of each project. An Seo-hyung, CEO of Bitbyte, a smartphone keyboard startup, said, "There were many candid opinions from the user perspective rather than from the program design perspective, which were greatly reflected in the actual application renewal process." Choi Yoo-jin, Vice President of Classting, a startup providing an interactive education platform between students and teachers, emphasized, "When targeting the global market, Samsung Electronics shared its accumulated know-how extensively on how to approach it, which will be a great help in future global expansion."

They also cited 'sense of belonging' and 'bonding' as advantages of C-Lab Outside. CEO Lee Sang-gi said, "In a way, headbutting the bare ground is the work itself, but just being part of C-Lab Outside feels like a sponge has been laid on the bare ground." He added, "Sharing concerns and finding solutions with companies co-located and senior startups from C-Lab will also be a great help." Vice President Choi Yoo-jin said, "It is difficult to receive emotional support while running a business, but I received a lot of comfort by openly sharing concerns. The closer the communication with partners, the further we can go."

There was also an evaluation that C-Lab Outside actively helps startups acquire technology to flexibly respond to crisis situations. CEO An Seo-hyung said, "Operating an application used by hundreds of thousands daily involves many variables. Through C-Lab Outside, I received 'data-driven marketing (Growth Hacking) consulting' that analyzes data, formulates hypotheses, and moves to the verification stage, which was very helpful for operations." He advised, "I hope it becomes an opportunity to establish processes such as terminology used in work and communication skills."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.