Academy for Women Entrepreneurs: South Korea

English | Korean

The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs: South Korea will support a cohort of women in South Korea looking to develop or expand their technology-based startups through education, networking, and mentorship from US-based entrepreneurs, leaders, and investors.

Participants of the program will:

  • Learn from Thunderbird School’s three- month-long “100 Million Learners Program” with support from EFN and Nuleep’s team of experts and advisors
  • Attend recurring virtual cohort meetings to learn alongside other women founders in South Korea and US business experts
  • Build relationships with a cohort of other founders through in-person networking events
  • Access EFN and Nuleep’s Network of Investors, Accelerators, and Corporations in the US

Participant Expectations:

  • Complete the Thunderbird School’s “100 Million Learners Program” (~25-30 hours of self-paced learning over 3 months)
  • Attend the program kickoff and 4 virtual cohort sessions
  • Attend 2 in person networking events & the final event in Seoul
  • Prepare and present a final pitch
  • Be responsive and engaged with the programming team
  • Complete all program check-ins and surveys

Important Dates

  • In-person Recruitment Event in Seoul: November 22nd, 4pm.
  • Informational Webinar: January 9, 2024 Korean Standard Time. Watch the recording.
  • Application Deadline: January 28th, 11:59pm Korean Standard Time
  • Acceptances Announced: Mid-February
  • Program runs February through June

Apply here by January 28, 2024. Applications written in English or Korean will be accepted, but English applications will be prioritized. This program will run primarily in English. 

Interested, but not ready to apply? Complete our interest form here.

Apply here

Program Schedule and Curriculum

 
AWE Korea founders will receive support and mentorship as they complete the . This digital, self-paced course will cover the following topics:

First month (~12 hours):

    • Fourth Industrial Revolution/Artificial Intelligence
    • Strategic Planning: Visioning and Goal-Setting
    • Organizational Readiness for Scaling and Expansion
    • Prioritizing Actions to Deliver Intended Results
    • Accountability, Transparency, and Ethics in Business
    • Recruiting Quality Talent for Business Growth 
    • Creating a Business Culture for Growth

Second month (~10 hours):

    • Developing Staff for Business Growth
    • Leveraging Value Chains as a Competitive Advantage
    • Financial Analysis and Management
    • Funding and Access to Capital
    • Public-Private Partnerships for Business
    • Social Entrepreneurship
    • Creating Customer Allegiance Through Marketing

Third month (~8 hours):

    • Effective Branding for Business Growth
    • Intellectual Property in Business
    • Using Social Media Effectively for Business
    • Redefining Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Business Success

Participants should expect to complete ~25-30 hours in the online course. The final course schedule will be adapted to the founders admitted into the program and the above timeline is only a recommendation.

To support and enhance founders’ learnings through the course, the AWE Korea team will host 4 virtual cohort check-ins where founders will meet with American business leaders and their peers to dive deeper into the program content. Founders will also attend 2 in person networking events in Seoul where they will have the chance to meet local startup leaders and funders and to make new connections with their peers. Founders will have access to EFN’s mentor network, which includes leaders from VCs and accelerators like Accel and Berkeley Skydeck, and other companies and organizations like Dow Chemical, Papa bear ventures, European Innovation council, icatalysts, and the University of California.

All participants will submit a video pitch at the end of the program for a chance to present live at the final showcase at the end of May. The top presentations at the showcase will receive funding to attend the SelectUSA Investment Summit in the US June 23-26. 

About the Program Organizers

 

Entrepreneur Futures Network (EFN) is an international nonprofit based in California that is dedicated to helping organizations and individuals tap the power of open entrepreneurial and innovation resources. We provide entrepreneurial program development, management and collaboration platforms, and training on several topics including mentoring and coaching, pitching and grant writing. Since our launch in 2003, we have served more than 5,000 entrepreneurs, over 100 universities, 40 accelerators, and have the privilege to have over 500 mentors. 

Nuleep focuses on leadership and workforce programs in AI, startups, entertainment, cleantech, ESG, supply chain and healthcare. Based in Los Angeles, our team has supported top accelerators and venture capital firms including LACI, Techstars, HBCU.vc, and 2080 Ventures to bring human centered data driven experiences and technologies. From ESG programs, strategic plans, to experiential curriculum design, we are dedicated to creating scalable solutions for startups, nonprofits, and Fortune 500 companies.  Our leading clients have hired thousands of people and raised billions in capital to create a sustainable workforce.

In September 2023, EFN partnered with Nuleep to bring the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs program to South Korea. This program is supported by the U.S. Embassy in South Korea. 

Academy for Women Entrepreneurs: South Korea FAQs

1. When does Academy for Women Entrepreneurs: South Korea occur?   

The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs: South Korea will run March through June 2024. Specific dates and program activities will be announced in February. 

2. Approximately, how many hours should participants plan for in an assignment?

Over 3 months, founders should expect to attend an onboarding session, 4 virtual cohort meetings, 2 in person networking events & the final event in Seoul. Founders will also complete the Thunderbird School’s “100 Million Learners Program” which we estimate to take ~25-30 hours over the 3 months.

3. Who is eligible to be an entrepreneur with Academy for Women Entrepreneurs: South Korea?

Women entrepreneurs currently residing in South Korea from all backgrounds and industries are encouraged to apply. 

4. How do I mentor for this program? 

To apply to mentor, email EFN with a 300 word CV/ Bio and your LinkedIn profile to admin@entrepreneurfutures.org.

5. How can I learn more about past EFN programs? 

This is the first year of the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs: South Korea. To learn about EFN’s other international work, check out Empower Queensland and Jump Startup Spain. 

Academy of Women Entrepreneurs: South Korea is run by Entrepreneur Futures Network in collaboration with Nuleep and supported by the U.S. Embassy in South Korea.