Global Community Hub Launched to Support Startups Entering the U.S. Market

Asan Nanum Foundation Officially Opens Its First Overseas Base, 'Maru SF'

On November 12, the Asan Nanum Foundation officially opened 'Maru SF,' its first overseas base and a short-term global community hub, in San Mateo, California, USA. Maru SF is designed to provide practical support for startups seeking to enter the U.S. market.

The Maru SF opening ceremony was attended by approximately 100 people, including Mongjun Chung, Honorary Chairman of the Asan Nanum Foundation; Yunmi Um, Chairperson; the Foundation’s board members; Jung Taek Lim, Consul General in San Francisco; as well as domestic and international investors and entrepreneurs. The ceremony included a welcome speech and congratulatory remarks, an introduction to the Maru SF project, sharing of global expansion cases by Maru SF membership startups, a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and a house tour.

At the Maru SF opening ceremony, Nam Jung, Executive Director of Asan Nanum Foundation (from left), Jungtaek Lim, Consul General in San Francisco, Mongjun Chung, Honorary Chairman of Asan Nanum Foundation, Yunmi Um, Chairperson of Asan Nanum Foundation, and Jihoon Kim, Director of Asan Nanum Foundation, are cutting the ribbon. Asan Nanum Foundation

Mongjun Chung, Honorary Chairman of the Asan Nanum Foundation, stated, "It is not capital or technology, but 'people' who believe they can do it that turn the impossible into possible. Maru SF will serve as a strong foundation for those who wish to realize their limitless potential on the global stage."

Nam Jung, Executive Director of the Asan Nanum Foundation, further explained the background of Maru SF’s establishment, saying, "As artificial intelligence centered in Silicon Valley is reshaping every industry, it is now necessary for more startup teams to target the global market from the early stages, rather than simply expanding overseas after growing in Korea. Maru SF will become a bridgehead for building practical connections with the Silicon Valley ecosystem."

In fact, the Foundation has collaborated with about 20 diverse partners to develop Maru SF into a global startup ecosystem. Since the pilot operation began in May, a total of 53 membership startups have participated, fostering a culture of challenge, growth, and sharing. Yunmi Um, Chairperson of the Asan Nanum Foundation, said, "Maru SF will become a key infrastructure connecting the startup ecosystems of Korea and the United States, serving as a global community hub that embodies 'frontier entrepreneurship.' The Asan Nanum Foundation will continue to expand its membership partner network centered around Maru SF and actively support startups in their successful entry into the U.S. market."

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