Growing startups and securing investment depend not on a “title of expertise,” but on execution—the ability to take action that meets real needs. When I first joined my organisation, I knew little about entrepreneurship. Over the past decade, observing countless founders up close taught me that what startups ultimately need are networks—the people and capital that connect and accelerate their growth.
Early stage: When setbacks became my first real lesson
Nurturing startups outside Seoul was never easy. I rushed from meeting to meeting, but geography and time were constant barriers. I still remember one early attempt—emailing a well-known accelerator partner to introduce our portfolio companies.
Their reply was brief and cold: “Please send it to the company’s representative email address.”
My heart sank.
In that moment, I learned a hard truth: before anyone will listen, you must first build your own credibility as the connector.
A new approach: Breaking through with digital networking
Still, giving up was not an option. To help startups raise investment, I had to find a new way forward.
I turned to the digital world — starting with Facebook, where Korean investor networks were most active at the time, and LinkedIn, the global hub for professional connections.
Working at a government-affiliated organisation gave me some initial credibility and opened doors for early introductions. But proving that the startups I supported were truly viable and innovative — that was an entirely different challenge.
Before reaching out to investors and tech experts, I rebuilt my profile as a trust signal. I invested in a professional studio photo, commissioned a clean banner, and crafted every line of my bio and organisational experience with care—clear, specific, and outcomes-focused.
The goal was simple: make credibility visible before making any ask. Only then did I begin expanding my network with targeted connection requests to investors and operators.
Also Read: How network aggregators can thrive in a disconnected world
Content strategy: Turning writing into a bridge of trust
Once I had grown my networks to over 3,000 connections on each platform, I began to write. I shared insights from an investor’s perspective — startup appeal factors, funding trends, expert interviews, and even film reviews about entrepreneurship. I posted these articles on social media and in investor group chats.
The result was astonishing. Within a short time, my name became more widely recognised, and the “barrier to investor persuasion” began to lower.
Investors who had already encountered my content started responding more positively — open to collaboration, conversation, and new opportunities.
Global expansion: When LinkedIn unlocked the world
Then came a new mission: global expansion and overseas investment attraction.
It felt almost impossible at first. But everything changed the day I connected—through LinkedIn—with an influencer and startup community manager at a global tech company in Singapore.
Soon after, a LinkedIn connection introduced me to e27, Asia’s leading startup and tech media platform. I began contributing articles on investment and tech trends, and before long, I was honoured as a top contributor and thought leader for two consecutive years.
That recognition became a powerful bridge—connecting me with accelerators and innovation leaders across Silicon Valley, Singapore, the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. It proved that when you consistently share insights your audience truly needs, opportunities find their way back to you.
Expanding into practice: Turning insight into collaboration
Our organisation is based in Osong, a national biotech cluster in Korea, where we nurture startups in beauty tech, medical devices, and biotechnology.
Through multiple surveys, I found that many of these startups were eager to enter the US market. With that insight, I began ongoing online networking, which eventually led to co-hosted IR sessions and global expansion seminars with experts, investors, and institutional leaders in Los Angeles and Houston.
It was a reminder that meaningful partnerships aren’t built overnight, but through persistence, trust, and visible action.
Also Read: Rethinking communication, connection, and empathy in the age of AI
Writing and influence: When action opens unimaginable doors
Helping startups grow requires more than just networks or content. Real opportunities emerged when writing and execution came together. Sharing stories and insights on social media unexpectedly opened new personal and professional doors.
As a result, I found myself stepping into new and exciting roles:
- Collaborations with global tech accelerators,
- Being named one of the “Global Women Influencers” and recognised as a leading “LinkedIn Influencer,” with features in Korean and global media.
- Serving as a Global Ambassador for the WomenTech Network.
Each milestone reaffirmed a single truth — that influence is not built through visibility alone, but through consistent contribution, credibility, and meaningful connection.
The final lesson: Write, record, share
In the end, the fastest way to reach investors was not by chasing them, but by continuously sharing credible, in-depth insights that they genuinely want to read.
I still write regularly about complex topics such as quantum computing, AI, and climate tech, translating them into accessible language so that investors and founders can meet in the middle, through understanding.
To any founder out there dreaming of global growth, I would say:
“Start writing. Start recording. Start sharing — today. The results waiting for you may be far greater than you can imagine.”
Credibility compounds when it’s shared — write to be understood, execute to be believed, and connect to be remembered.
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Editor’s note: e27 aims to foster thought leadership by publishing views from the community. Share your opinion by submitting an article, video, podcast, or infographic.
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