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The New York Korean Financial Forum was held on April 16, 2026 at The Korea Society, in partnership with Korea Investment Corporation (KIC) and the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in New York, to discuss investment strategies and opportunities within the North American mid-market infrastructure sector.
Jared Waldron (Co-Head of Infrastructure) and Jessica Kennedy (Managing Director) from Northleaf Capital Partners presented structural advantages of the mid-market. They highlighted the diverse opportunities in renewable energy and digital infrastructure for a higher margin of safety and significant value creation potential.
The program brought together over 40 Korean and Korean-American finance professionals and concluded with a networking session, offering participants an opportunity to exchange professional insights and strengthen connections across New York's financial community.
US Infrastructure Market Outlook and Investment Strategy (Focused on the Mid-Market)
April 16, 2026
The Korea Society
350 Madison Avenue, 24th Floor
New York, NY 10017
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- Youtube Video:
Join us for a conversation with Tae Kim, author of The Nvidia Way: Jensen Huang and the Making of a Tech Giant. Now as the world's leading AI chipmaker, Nvidia offers a fascinating window into the new era of global entrepreneurship vis-à-vis its partnership with Korea; Nvidia's commitment to provide 260,000 GPUs to South Korean companies redefines the strength of innovative cooperation across mobility, manufacturing, and robotics. This conversation will take you inside the forces shaping our AI-powered future and offer fresh insights into the culture, strategy, and leadership behind Nvidia's rise as a global technology leader.
Purchase the book here.
Author signing available at the event.
The Nvidia Way: Jensen Huang and the Making of a Tech Giant with Tae Kim
Thursday, December 4, 2025 | 6:30 PM (EST)
The Korea Society
350 Madison Avenue, 24th Floor
New York, NY 10017
About the Speaker:
Photo: Helena Hong |
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Tae Kim, Senior Technology Writer at Barron's and Author of The Nvidia Way, is a senior technology writer at Barron's. He previously was the U.S. technology columnist at Bloomberg Opinion and also worked as an investing journalist for CNBC. Earlier in his career, he was an equity analyst at hedge funds and an investment analyst at a fund of funds. |
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The Korea Society invites you to the final pitching competition of Startup Scene: Emerging Design Competition — the most aspiring moment of Startup Scene: Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow, a program initiative dedicated to empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs across the US and South Korean startup ecosystems.
Come witness firsthand the creativity and drive of the next generation of Korean and Korean-American founders. After a half-year journey — from initial ideation to mentorship — our finalists are now one step away from taking home prizes of $5,000, $3,000, and $1,000. Each finalist will deliver a live pitch followed by a Q&A with the judging panel, showcasing ideas at the intersection of technology, design, and social impact that may very well shape tomorrow's economy.
Information session : Friday, January 23, 2026
Final 5 teams announcement: Friday, April 17, 2026
Startup Scene Annual Forum: Thursday, May 21, 2026
Final pitch and Award Ceremony: Friday, June 12, 2026
For any questions, please contact us at
This program is proudly and exclusively supported by Hanwha Life
| Click Here to Attend in Person |
Finalists
2026 EMERGING DESIGN COMPETITION FINALISTS
We are excited to announce the finalists of the 2026 Emerging Design Competition:
Cuddles Emory University A screen-free AI plush companion that helps children build emotional and language skills while giving parents actionable insights to deepen their family connection |
FOODIE Iowa State University A gamified fridge manager that notifies you 48 hours before your food expires |
MyHearo New York University/ School of Visual Arts An AI agent for deaf and hard-of-hearing users that understands sound and context to support everyday awareness and action |
SORVY Washington State University/Arizona State University Turning starfish waste into a self-regulating aquarium water cartridge |
Startup Scene: Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow
2026 Emerging Design Competition Final Pitch
Friday, June 12, 2026 | 5:00 PM (EDT)
The Korea Society
350 Madison Avenue
24th Floor New York, NY 10017
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The Korea Society and the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) are pleased to present a timely discussion on South Korea's capital market reforms. South Korea is undertaking its most ambitious capital market reform in years—an agenda to strengthen corporate governance, expand investor protections, and unlock deeper access to global capital. What does this moment mean for international investors, and what will it take to finally close the Korea discount?
Join Namuh Rhee, Chairman of the Korean Corporate Governance Forum and a leading voice behind Korea's reform movement, for a keynote address, followed by a cross-border conversation with senior representatives from the Bank of Korea and two leading U.S. investment professionals on where the reforms stand, how Korea's macro landscape is reshaping its appeal, and what global capital needs to see next.
Opening Remarks
Rak-gon Kim, Director General of KOTRA New York
Keynote Speaker
Namuh Rhee, Chairman, Korea Corporate Governance Forum; Visiting Professor, Yonsei University
Panelists
Young Woong Hwang Head, Money Market Team, Bank of Korea
Chiara Salghini Portfolio Manager, Senior Research Analyst, Vontobel
Jae Hyun Yoo Director, International Finance Division, Bank of Korea
A senior executive at a major Wall Street bank's private investing arm
Moderated by Mark Kim President, Korea Finance Society
Brought together with
| Interest Registration Link |
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While TKS members have first priority, we encourage all interested attendees to apply. You'll receive a confirmation once your RSVP has been submitted. For information on membership, please refer to the webpage here. |
Closing the Korea Discount: Capital Market Reform and the Macro Outlook
Monday, June 1, 2026 | 4:00 PM (EDT)
By Invitation
About the Speakers
Young Woong Hwang
Head, Money Market Team, The Bank of Korea
Young Woon Hwang joined the Bank of Korea in 2003 and has since worked in the Monetary Policy Department, Financial Markets Department, Research Department, and Financial Stability Department, engaging in monetary policy as well as financial stability–related affairs.
Young Woong graduated with a BA in Economics from Korea University.
Mark Kim
Director at Anchorage Capital Advisors
Mark Kim is a Director at Anchorage Capital Advisors, a credit-oriented investment firm based in New York. At Anchorage, Mark is responsible for corporate credit investing across the capital structure, as well as business development and investor relations for Korea.
Before joining Anchorage, he worked at TPG Sixth Street Partners and started his career in the investment banking division at Bank of America Merrill Lynch in New York.
Mark serves as President of Korea Finance Society and received the Finance Excellence Award from the Korean Ministry of Economy and Finance for his contributions to the organization.
Mark holds a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics from Columbia University.
Rakgon Kim
Director-General of KOTRA New York
Rakgon Kim is the Director-General of KOTRA New York, appointed in 2025. With nearly 30 years of experience at the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), he is a seasoned expert in global trade, export support, and strategic management.
Mr. Kim has held diverse leadership roles across KOTRA’s international network, previously serving as Director-General in Chicago (2023–2025) and Doha, and as Director in Auckland. At KOTRA headquarters, he led the Export Support and Human Resources Development teams and held multiple strategic positions within the Office of the President. He remains dedicated to strengthening economic ties between Korea and the global market through his extensive expertise in international trade.
Namuh Rhee
Chairman of the Korean Corporate Governance Forum
As Chairman of the Korean Corporate Governance Forum, Namuh Rhee is at the forefront of efforts to elevate corporate governance standards across the country, bringing nearly four decades of experience across Asia’s leading financial institutions. He has held senior leadership roles at Samsung Securities, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, and Nomura International, spanning Seoul, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Throughout his career he built a distinguished reputation as one of the foremost authorities on Korean equities.
His corporate governance credentials are underpinned by extensive board experience spanning financial services, media, start-up and chaebols, having served as a non-executive board member of BNK Financial Holdings, SBS, Hansol Holdings, Mando China Holdings, Korea Investment Trust, ABLBio, and Citibank Korea. Earlier in his career, he was appointed to the Finance Industry Development Review Committee of Korea’s Ministry of Finance and Economy, one of the government’s most senior advisory bodies. He holds an MBA from the University of Chicago and a BA in Economics from Seoul National University.
Chiara Salghini joined Vontobel in November 2023. She is Deputy Portfolio Manager and Senior Research Analyst within the Quality Growth boutique. In this role, she works as a generalist, focusing on emerging markets and researching investment opportunities with a particular emphasis on Latin America, Asia, and the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East and Africa).
Before joining Vontobel, from 2019 to 2023, she was a research analyst at Stone Forest Capital, where she focused on emerging-market equities. Prior to that, she covered emerging-market and international equities at Federated Hermes. Her previous experience in the finance industry includes working as an investment banker at Barclays in London and New York, and as a credit analyst at Moody’s. She started her career in 2005 at UBS in London as an investment banking analyst in the Mergers & Acquisitions department.
Chiara holds an MBA in Finance from The Wharton School, an MPA in International Economics and Public Policy from Harvard University, as well as degrees from The London School of Economics and Bocconi University.
Jae Hyun Yoo
Director, International Finance Division The Bank of Korea
Jae Hyun Yoo is Director of International Finance Division in The Bank of Korea. He has more than 25 years’ experience of working in a number of different roles associated with FX and financial markets department in the BOK. He has been deeply involved in the establishment and operation of Korea's foreign exchange policies and regulations. He also served as a policy advisor to a member of the BOK's Monetary Policy Committee from 2016~2018.
Jae Hyun graduated with a BA in Economics from Seoul National University.
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The Korea Society is calling for entries for “Startup Scene: 2026 Emerging Design Competition.” The competition is a part of Startup Scene: Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow (hereinafter Startup Scene), a program initiative dedicated to empower the startup entrepreneurial community that encompasses the US and South Korean economic landscape. This is proudly supported by Hanwha Life exclusively.
The “Startup Scene: Emerging Design Competition” is designed to encourage innovative thinking, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit among Korean-American and Korean students enrolled in colleges, universities, and graduate schools across the United States. This year, the participants are challenged to pitch an innovative startup concept that leverages emerging technologies to address pressing challenges and issues.
Application Period: Monday, December 15, 2025 to Monday, March 30, 2026 (11:59 PM EST)
Startup Pathways for Students: Emerging Design Competition & More
Meet the student team finalists from Startup Scene: 2025 Student Ideation Competition—newly rebranded this year as the Startup Scene: 2026 Emerging Design Competition—and explore NYC-wide resources for aspiring entrepreneurs. This session highlights college and university-level student startup ideas and introduces programs, mentorship, and opportunities to help students take their first steps into the startup ecosystem. A networking reception with light refreshment will follow.
About the Speakers:
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Eun Soo Cho is a multiple award-winning student entrepreneur with a background in interaction design. With a multidisciplinary approach spanning engineering, design, and marketing, Eunsoo has earned recognition including 1st Place at the 2025 Stanford Longevity Design Challenge, the Indigo Award (Gold) for Apps for Social Change, and selection as a finalist for the Fast Company Innovation by Design Awards. She was also a team member of the first-prize–winning project at The Korea Society’s inaugural student entrepreneurship competition. Eunsoo earned her MFA from the School of Visual Arts (SVA) and is currently working in product strategy at a Series C startup based in New York. |
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Melissa Lent-Lume is currently the Senior Project Manager on the Tech and Creative team at New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC). In her role, Melissa works to grow the tech workforce and support the growth of emerging sectors, such as AI, blockchain, cybersecurity, and quantum. Specifically, Melissa leads the Startup and VC Internship Programs initiative at NYCEDC, which offers paid work opportunities in the tech and investment world, professional development, and mentorship to New York City students. |
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Linda Zhou is a 2nd-year MBA candidate at the Yale School of Management and Managing Partner of the NYC/Midwest team at Dorm Room Fund, the leading student-run venture fund investing in student founders. Prior to business school, she built grant programs and accelerators for AAPI non-profits, emerging music artists, filmmakers, journalists, and more at Gold House, while also leading the Gold House Ventures Accelerator for early-stage founders. Linda began her career as community manager at the Harvard Innovation Labs ("i-lab"), leading to a stint as first employee & Chief of Staff at the i-lab incubated fintech startup Juno. |
About the Moderator:
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Holly Oh Diamond is a serial entrepreneur and social impact founder passionate about building businesses that drive equity in the workforce. She is the founder of DHD Consulting, a recruiting firm specializing in Korean and immigrant-owned businesses, and WorkOnward, an AI-powered, map-based hiring platform designed to make job opportunities more accessible for immigrant and women-owned small businesses. |
Final 5 teams announcement: Friday, April 17, 2026
Startup Scene Annual Forum: Thursday, May 21, 2026
Final pitch and Award Ceremony: Friday, June 12, 2026
For any questions, please contact us at
2026 EMERGING DESIGN COMPETITION FINALISTS
We are excited to announce the finalists of the 2026 Emerging Design Competition:
Cuddles Emory University A screen-free AI plush companion that helps children build emotional and language skills while giving parents actionable insights to deepen their family connection |
FOODIE Iowa State University A gamified fridge manager that notifies you 48 hours before your food expires |
Healii New York University AI-Based Personalized Wellness & Vitamin Recommendation Platform |
MyHearo New York University/ School of Visual Arts An AI agent for deaf and hard-of-hearing users that understands sound and context to support everyday awareness and action |
SORVY Washington State University/Arizona State University Turning starfish waste into a self-regulating aquarium water cartridge |
How to Apply
Please fill out the following application form here.
Your application should include the following components:
Pitch Video:
| • A brief description of your startup ideas in the most creative way possible | |
| • What problem you are solving, for whom, and the solution addressed | |
| • Any innovative solutions that leverage emerging technologies to address pressing challenges and issues. |
* The pitch video will be reviewed strictly by judges internally.
Executive Summary (850 words)
A concise overview of your startup idea, including the specific emerging technologies and technical methods you plan to leverage (e.g., multimodal AI models, edge computing, synthetic data generation, blockchain-based verification, advanced materials, etc). Please explain the core technological concept empowering your solution avoiding general terms like “AI.”
| • A brief overview of your startup ideas | |
| • Problem Statement: What problems are you trying to solve | |
| • Technology & Product Approach: Explain how your solution works, including the key technology utilized, why it's needed, and what makes it feasible today. | |
| • Market analysis: Identify your target customers, estimation of market size, and marketing strategy | |
| • Revenue Model: Outline how you plan to make money. | |
| • Unique advantage: How is your idea/solution innovative? |
Eligibility
| • Students from all U.S. schools are eligible to apply. | |
| • Individual or team applications (max.3 students per team) will be accepted. | |
| • In alignment with Startup Scene’s mission, each team must include at least one team member of Korean heritage. | |
| • Only currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students taking classes in U.S. schools during the 2025-26 academic school year are eligible to apply. | |
| • We will only accept applications from student email addresses. No personal email addresses will be accepted. | |
| • Teams do not have to comprise students from the same school; students from different schools may be included in one team. |
Prizes and Terms of Participation
Prizes
The top 5 finalists are also expected and will receive a travel stipend to attend the 2026 Startup Scene Annual Forum in NYC (Thursday, May 21, 2026 at Citi Headquarters) and receive coaching sessions with our partner organizations to realize the idea into a working company.
Date: Thursday, May 21, 2026
Venue: Citi Headquarters
388 Greenwich St
New York, NY 10013
The top 3 teams will receive special prizes and recognition, as listed below:
1st place: $5000
2nd place: $3000
3rd place: $1000
Terms of Participation
Please note the following terms of participation:
| • The idea cannot already have been pursued by another company. | |
| • The idea must be developed independently by the participants and must not infringe the rights of third parties. | |
| • Team name and short description may be published on the website and social media of The Korea Society. | |
| • The competitors must be ready to attend the Startup Scene Annual Forum at NYC for their final pitch. | |
| • There is no fee for application or competition. | |
| • The decision of the jury is final, any legal action is precluded. | |
| • The submitted summary and video pitch of any application will be reviewed by the staff and judges preselected by The Korea Society. Finalists must participate in the Startup Scene Annual Forum, where activities and presentations are open to the pre-registered attendees of the forum. |
While the judges will be expected to use discretion with respect to proprietary information, The Korea Society cannot assume any responsibilities or provide any guarantees with respect to confidentiality of contestant team proprietary information. All participants must acknowledge the public nature of the competition and assume all risks associated with any disclosure during the competition.
This program is supported by Hanwha Life
Startup Scene: Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow
2026 Emerging Design Competition
The Korea Society
350 Madison Avenue
24th Floor New York, NY 10017