More and More Leaders of Global IT Industry Working with Korean Startups

An increasing number of global IT giants are supporting the business of Korean startups. For example, Amazon Web Services (AWS) is currently running the AWS Activate, which is designed to help startups expand their business by using platforms of AWS. Startups participating in the program can be provided with Web-based training and consulting services and can utilize the AWS credits. Korean startups such as The Beatpacking Company, Remember, Job Planet, JikBang and 8percent are utilizing the AWS Activate now.

Facebook is planning to help Korean startups go abroad by means of its global SNS platform. In addition, Facebook is providing the FB Start, a startup support program, for mobile app developers. Beneficiaries can receive help for application planning and production based on Facebook’s free app development tools and services.

Microsoft, in the meantime, is going to work with the 17 Centers for Creative Economy & Innovation across the country so that the startups housed in the centers can expand their business abroad. Google’s Campus Seoul is fulfilling the role of a startup hub in Asia and SAP is planning to open the Design Thinking Innovation Center in Pangyo, Gyeonggi Province this month.

The recent trend has to do with open innovation and rapports with future clients. The B2B services of AWS, SAP and the like, in particular, can produce lock-in effects, which is a reason why the global IT leaders are providing their platforms. For instance, Netflix recently shut down its own data center to provide all of its services on AWS platforms.

“Global IT companies’ profits are derived from millions of firms around the world that use their global marketing and cloud computing platforms,” said an industry expert, continuing, “It is IT startups that are essential for their sustainable growth, that is, the platforms can become more and more powerful when startups join them as clients.” He also urged Korean IT leaders such as Samsung Electronics and Naver to pay greater attention to open innovation and worldwide ecosystem creation.