Hello 82 Startup Community! This week, we have 2 founder pitches, 2 new roles, and 4 networking events. As always, if you have any questions or comments, feel free to reach out to Grace Kim (grace@sazze.vc).
1. Korjin, Inc. | Justin Chung | justin@korjin.com
Korjin is building the modern Korean ginseng brand for the "age of burnout", repositioning ginseng from a traditional & retail-first health product into a daily restorative energy solution for a Western, digitally-native audience.
While Korean ginseng is a ~$100M category in the U.S., it remains under-modernized compared to adaptogens like ashwagandha and maca. Legacy players dominate offline retail but lack strong digital presence, branding, and product innovation. Korjin bridges this gap by combining authentic Korean sourcing with modern branding, education, and direct-to-consumer distribution.
We have validated early demand through paid marketing tests, generating over 2,500 qualified leads at sub-$0.75 CPL (vs. ~$3+ industry average), with strong engagement across key demographics including men 45–65 (energy, circulation) and women 35–55 (beauty, inflammation).
Korjin is currently finalizing manufacturing partnerships in Geumsan, Korea, and preparing for its first production run supported by a friends & family round. The company is launching DTC via Shopify, with planned expansion into Amazon and retail following initial traction.
Our long term goal is to become the Western market's definitive Korean black ginseng brand — the gold standard for how people restore and sustain their vitality. You can view their full IR deck here.
2. Softionics Inc. | Sean Sungsoo Lim | limss0719@softionics.com
Softionics Inc. is a deep-tech startup developing vision-free electrostatic sensing technologies for spatial interaction. Founded in 2023 by researchers from Seoul National University’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering, the company focuses on building a new sensing layer to complement the lack of high-quality spatial data available to Vision AI systems, particularly for hand-held object interaction and physical manipulation tasks in smart appliances, mobility, and robotics.
The company’s core technology, Surface Charge Detecting and Ranging (SCDAR), enables non-contact spatial sensing by detecting subtle variations in electric fields induced by surface charges on objects or the human body. Unlike conventional camera- or LiDAR-based perception systems, Softionics’ approach interprets physical electric field dynamics directly, enabling always-on sensing with significantly lower power consumption and minimal latency in near-range environments. The technology can be implemented in ultra-thin sensing structures and embedded into product surfaces such as displays, control panels, vehicle interiors, and robotic artificial skin.
Looking ahead, Softionics aims to establish strategic collaborations with global manufacturers and technology companies in smart appliances, mobility, and robotics. The company plans to scale its technology from sensing modules to integrated sensor IC platforms, enabling broader adoption across next-generation human–machine interfaces and Physical AI systems. You can view their full IR deck here.
Immigration Attorney at DLG Law Corp.
Focus: legal
Location: Sunnyvale, CA
Key Responsibilities:
Manage a wide-ranging caseload of non-immigrant visas, specifically E-1/E-2, H-1B, J-1, L-1, O-1, and TN.
Oversee employment-based immigrant visa petitions (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3)
Provide strategic counsel to Korean companies and entrepreneurs establishing a foothold in the U.S. market.
Qualifications:
J.D. and active California Bar membership in good standing required.
3+ years of intensive experience in business and investment-based immigration.
Link to Apply: Please submit your Resume (English) and a brief introductory note to: contact@dlbridgelaw.com. In your application, please specify the position you are applying for and your preferred weekly hours.
Contact: Kate Bae (kate.bae@dlg.lawyer)
Corporate Attorney at DLG Law Corp.
Focus: legal
Location: Sunnyvale, CA
Key Responsibilities:
Advise on entity formation (C-Corp, LLC) and corporate ownership design, including overseas "flip" procedures.
Draft, review, and negotiate investment agreements and conduct legal due diligence.
Prepare essential corporate documents and advise on U.S. labor law (employment/termination).
Qualifications:
J.D. and active California Bar membership in good standing required.
3+ years of experience in corporate law, focusing on startups, venture capital, or M&A.
Link to Apply: Please submit your Resume (English) and a brief introductory note to: contact@dlbridgelaw.com. In your application, please specify the position you are applying for and your preferred weekly hours.
Contact: Kate Bae (kate.bae@dlg.lawyer)
📅 <AI 시대의 리더십, 기술 그리고 법률> by 아산나눔재단 X DLG USA
When: 2026. 4. 22. (수) 오후 5시
Where: Maru SF (Burlingame, CA)
What: 법무법인 DLG와 아산나눔재단이 함께 준비한 특별한 자리에 여러분을 초대합니다.
AI 시대 스타트업의 필승 전략을 한 자리에서 만나보세요. 실리콘밸리에서 활동하는 세 명의 전문가가 리더십, 기술, 법률을 중심으로 스타트업과 글로벌 비즈니스에 필요한 핵심 인사이트를 전합니다.
🤓 연사
• 한기용 교수 — 스타트업 자문, 투자, 커리어 코칭 전문가
• 윤성희 대표 — 글로벌 AI·바이오테크 전문가, Erudio Bio Co-Founder & CTO
• 이연수 변호사 — 실리콘밸리 스타트업·투자·하이테크 법률 전문가
🙋♀️ 추천 대상
• AI 시대 창업가의 관점과 리더십이 궁금한 분
• 기술 경쟁력과 시장 전략을 함께 배우고 싶은 분
• 스타트업 운영에 필요한 최신 AI 법률 이슈가 궁금한 분
• 실리콘밸리 전문가들과 깊이 있는 네트워킹을 원하는 분
❣️ 주요 내용
• 리더십, 기술, 법률의 3가지 핵심 전략
• 강연, Q&A, 저녁 식사(한식), 네트워킹, 경품 추첨Sign up: https://luma.com/0hykp91l
📅 UKF Launch Event
When: NYC - 4/27, SF - 4/30
Where: NYC and SF - check luma for details
What: UKF Launch Day 2026 is an evening to share where United Korean Founders is headed next. We’ll introduce our 2026 roadmap, new community services, and the programs we’re building to better connect and support the broader network.
This is a focused gathering for founders, operators, investors, and friends of the ecosystem to hear directly from UKF leadership, learn what’s ahead, and connect with others across the community.
Sign up:
뉴욕 (04/27): https://luma.com/az0fcptq샌프란시스코 (04/30): https://luma.com/is3cx7mw
📅 Vivatech 2026 서울통합관
When: 6/17 수요일 - 6/20 토요일
Where: Paris Expo Porte de Versailles Hall 7
What: 유럽 최대 규모의 IT 전시회 ‘VivaTech’ 에서 서울 유망 기업의 글로벌 경쟁력 제고를 위해 ‘VivaTech 2026 서울통합관’에 함께할 우수기업을 모집하고자 하오니 많은 지원 바랍니다.
Have a startup to pitch or a role to fill?
[Click here to fill out the Google Form]
Submissions close every third Friday of the month at 5:00 PM PT.
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