Korea Innovation Center DC
Breaking Barriers, Building Tomorrow
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
October 31 - Nov 1, 2023
@Atrium,Ronald Reagan Building
At the Defy Conference,
We're blending technology and culture for a unique experience.
Join us to delve into the world of technology while also immersing yourself in Korean culture. This event connects the Korean and American tech ecosystems, fueling innovation through R&D, tech transfer, and investments. Discover how visionaries are challenging norms, embracing emerging tech, and making an impact on society.
Featured Speakers
Jungsang Kim
Chief Technology Officer
IonQ
Tim Hwang
Chief Executive Officer
FIscalNote
Zach Beecher
Head of Strategic Partnership
America’s Frontier Fund
OPENING REMARK
Embassy of the Republic of Korea
SPEAKERS
Rhonda Shrader
Executive Director
Berkeley Haas Entrepreneurship
Sally Allain
Head of JLABS @ Washington DC
Johnson & Johnson Innovation
Allyson Redpath
Director of Entrepreneurship
Maryland Department of Commerce
Victor Hoskins
Chief Executive Officer
Fairfax County Economic Development Authority
Elijah Bach
Co-Founder
Bach Family Foundation and Trust
Jim Chung
Associate Vice President for Research
Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship
George Washington University
Anne Balduzzi
Managing Director
Entrepreneur and Ecosystem Empowerment
TEDCO
Tom Weithman
Chief Investment Officer
VIPC
Andrew Ko
Founder
Kovexa
Ann Xu
CEO/ Co-Founder
ElectroTempo
Marc Iyeki
Head of Listings Strategy
Green Impact Exchange
Jennifer cho, phd
VP Marketing
Soundable Health
Tayab Waseem, MD PhD
George Washington University Hospital
Dustin Dunbar
Associate
VIPC
Jasjit Singh
Executive Director
SelectUSA Global Markets
Dr. Mingu Lee
Managing Partner
Cleveland Avenue
Brandon Joe
CEO
Plug and Play Korea
Dr. Ian Ryu
Head of Technology Partnership
FedTech
Masashi Kiyomine
CEO/Managing Partner
Kicker Ventures
Charles Radman
Global Head
HP Education
Rebecca Winthrop
Senior Fellow and Director
Center for Universal Education
Brookings Institute
Jean-Luc Park
Senior Director
Social Impact Funds
TEDCO
Allyson Mckithen
Executive Director
World Trade Center Washington DC
Deb Hemingway
Managing Partner
Ecphora Capital
Jennifer krusius
Partner
ABS Capital
Alhassan Yasin Phd
Professor /Senior Research Scientists
Johns Hopkins University
Catherine Song, PhD
Founder & CEO
Soundable Health
Serene Almomen, Ph.D
CEO
Attune
Panels
&
Fireside
AI
Emerging Technologies Shaping the Future:
Exploring breakthrough technologies like AI, blockchain, quantum computing, and biotech that are redefining industries and driving innovation in Korea and beyond.
Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship and Start-up Ecosystems:
Diving into the thriving start-up culture in Korea, fostering an entrepreneurial mindset, nurturing start-up ecosystems, and supporting young innovators on their path to success.
HealthTech
HealthTech Revolution: Enhancing Healthcare Through Innovation:
Analyzing how technology, telemedicine, data-driven approaches, and AI are revolutionizing healthcare delivery, diagnosis, treatment, and patient outcomes in Korea and the US.
EdTech
Revolutionizing Education:
EdTech's Journey from Pre-K to Empowered Parents.
Discover how technology is reshaping learning from early childhood to involving and empowering parents in the education journey.
Government
The Role of Government in Fostering Innovation:
Engaging in a dialogue about the role of governmental policies, incentives, and support in promoting a culture of innovation, R&D funding, and driving economic growth.
Female Investors & Founders
Empowering Female Voices in Startups and Venture Capital:
Importance of empowering female voices within the startup and venture capital ecosystem. It explores strategies, challenges, and success stories related to fostering gender diversity, inclusivity, and equal opportunities, highlighting the pivotal role that women play in innovation and investment.
VC Outlook
Exploring the Current Landscape of Venture Capital in the United States:
Shaping the Path for Innovation and Investment.
9:30 AM - 9:55 AM
Welcome Remarks
World Trade Center DC / Embassy of the Republic of Korea
10:00 AM - 10:35AM
Keynote
Jungsang Kim - CTO of IonQ
10:45 AM - 11:20 AM
Demo Stage
DOT INC w/ Apple
11:30AM - 12:30PM
Pitch Survivor Competition
Preliminary Round Life Science & ICT @ Innovator/Visionary Stage
12:35 PM - 1:00PM
Fireside Chat - Female Founder/Investor
Empowering Female Voices in Startups and Venture Capital:
Importance of empowering female voices within the startup and venture capital ecosystem. It explores strategies, challenges, and success stories related to fostering gender diversity, inclusivity, and equal opportunities, highlighting the pivotal role that women play in innovation and investment.
1:10 PM - 1:35 PM
Fireside Chat - Government
The Role of Government in Fostering Innovation:
Engaging in a dialogue about the role of governmental policies, incentives, and support in promoting a culture of innovation, R&D funding, and driving economic growth.
1:40AM - 2:40PM
Pitch Survivor Competition
Preliminary Round Life Science & ICT @ Innovator/Visionary Stage
2:45PM - 3:10PM
Fireside Chat - Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship and Start-up Ecosystems:
Diving into the thriving start-up culture in Korea, fostering an entrepreneurial mindset, nurturing start-up ecosystems, and supporting young innovators on their path to success
3:20PM - 3:50PM
Fireside Chat - AI
AI Horizons, Charting the Future of Innovation:
Exploration into the dynamic world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its pivotal role in shaping the future of innovation. This thought-provoking discussion takes you on a journey through the ever-evolving landscape of AI, offering valuable insights into its far-reaching impact on industries, societies, and the global economy.
4:20PM - 4:50PM
Expert Panel- Health Tech
HealthTech Revolution:
Enhancing Healthcare Through Innovation: Analyzing how technology, telemedicine, data-driven approaches, and AI are revolutionizing healthcare delivery, diagnosis, treatment, and patient outcomes in Korea and the US
5:30PM - 8:30PM
Happy Hour - Invite Only
Networking Happy Hour, where you can mingle with participating startups, fellow investors, and government officials. This relaxed and social event provides a unique opportunity for meaningful connections in a casual setting.
Entrance passes can be claimed until 8:00 AM. Gates will open at 8:30 AM.
*Schedule may change.
9:00 AM - 9:50 AM
Brunch Networking
Complementary Snacks & Coffee
10:00 AM - 10:35AM
Keynote
Tim Hwang - CEO of FiscalNote
10:45 AM - 11:25 AM
Life Science Pitch Competition Finale
Top 5 finalists will pitch for 6 minutes + 2 minutes Q&A
11:40AM - 12:40PM
Idea + Innovation Pitch Competition
Early stage ideas from top university incubators
12:50 PM - 1:15PM
Fireside Chat - EdTech
Revolutionizing Education:
EdTech's Journey from Pre-K to Empowered Parents.
Discover how technology is reshaping learning from early childhood to involving and empowering parents in the education journey.
1:25 PM - 1:50 PM
VC Outlook - Korea/US
Exploring the Current Landscape of Venture Capital in the United States:
Shaping the Path for Innovation and Investment
2:00 PM - 2:25PM
Expert - So you want to go IPO?
Marc Iyeki - Formal NYSE Head of listing APAC
2:35PM - 3:15PM
Keynote
Zach Beecher - Head of Strategic Partnership
America’s Frontier Fund
3:20PM - 4:00PM
ICT Pitch Competition Finale
Top 5 finalists will pitch for 6 minutes + 2 minutes QA
4:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Closing Remark
- President of KICDC
- Announcement of top 3 winners for ICT & Life Science
- Award Ceremony
6:00PM - 9:30PM
Gala - Mirae / Future
The gala is a celebration of visionary ideas, a nexus for collaboration, and a platform to honor those driving positive change within the dynamic tech ecosystems of Korea and the United States.
- Welcome Speech by YS Chi - Elsevier
- Mission Remark - Ambassador of Korea DC
- Korea Art - Sculptures and Modern Art
- Korean Music - Sa mul nori / Ga ya geum
- Future Collaboration - DC / Virginia / Maryland
- Black Tie
- Invitation Only
Entrance passes can be claimed until 8:00 AM. Gates will open at 8:30 AM.
*Schedule may change.
Sponsors & Partners
Platinum sponsor
Gold sponsor
Silver sponsor
Bronze sponsor
Community partner
participating startups
Yut:
Experience the joy of winning by throwing high the yut sticks in the Korean traditional board game.
DDak Ji:
Make your own Ddak ji and play the game just like Squid Games.
Jegichagi:
Keep Jegi afloat and compete with conference attendees to be on top of the leaderboard for awesome prizes.
Celebrating the Future
Celebrating the Future
Gala 2023
Black Tie
Washington DC
Ronald Reagan Building
Nov 1, 2023
6:00 PM
Gala 2023
Black Tie
Washington DC
Ronald Reagan Building
Nov 1, 2023
6:00 PM
Your Logo
Here
The Gala for Innovation, a central highlight of the DEFY Conference, is a celebration like no other. This year, our theme is "Mirae," which means "future" in Korean. We invite you to join us in honoring the individuals who play a pivotal role in shaping the relationship between the United States and Korea.
Master of ceremony
Ara Goh
CEO
Ally Consulting
Performance
사물놀이
가야금
art
Kim Hyun Jung
Braille/Jewlery Art
Keynote
Rhonda Shrader
Awards
Ambassador for Innovation Award
- Jim Chung
Innovation Bridge Award
- Rhonda Shrader
Distinguished Appreciation Award
- Mun-kee Choi
Schedule
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Cocktail Reception
7:00 PM - 7:20 PM
Opening Ceremony
7:20 PM - 7:35 PM
Keynote Speech
7:35 PM - 8:20 PM
Dinner
8:20 PM - 8:50 PM
Award Presentation
8:50 PM - 9:30 PM
Closing
How to get there
1300 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE NW
WASHINGTON, DC 20004
By Subway:
The Federal Triangle Metro Station (orange/blue/silver lines) is located on-site and is connected to the building by covered passageway. The Metro Center Metro Station (red line) is located just two blocks away.
By Car:
Planning to drive? Park in a public parking garage, it's the largest in the city.
Tickets
Ticket sale for Defy Conference 2023 have now ended
Contact
Phone
(202) 455-6559
hkim@kicdc.org
Social
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