Outside App Establishes Cross-Border Presence Despite COVID-19

Outside App is one of the 60 startups selected to join the annual K-Startup Grand Challenge (KSGC) this year, supported by the Government of South Korea. The Singapore-based team was chosen out of over 2,500 global startups to participate in the three-month-long accelerator program in Pangyo, Seoul, and showcase their capabilities to both the government and reputable corporations such as Lotte, Naver, and Kakao. 

During the three months in South Korea, co-founders Nicholas Lim and LuXian Brueschweiler will be representing Outside App in interacting with major Korean corporations through conferences, seminars, and workshops conducted. Furthermore, they will be using this time to showcase how Outside App has the potential to create flexible work opportunities and help shape the future of work in both Korea’s community and business landscape.  

To assist with their operations, the program will be providing the team with a project space, equipment for product production and service development, test bed, and coaching sessions on Korean and Asian business cultures. Pitching lessons and one-on-one mentoring are also provided to ensure an enriching experience for all startups. 

“It’s honestly a dream come true, especially during this period where uncertainty is prevalent everywhere. We are grateful for this opportunity, and we cannot wait to learn so much from this program and show what Outside App can do,” said Nicholas Lim, the CEO of the tech startup.  

At the end of the three months, a Demo Day will be held for all startups to showcase their final product to the organizers and business sponsors. Afterward, the top 30 teams selected from this assessment will be eligible for funding to operate in Korea for an additional three and a half months. 

If Outside gets chosen as part of the top 30 teams to receive this funding, that would mean an additional ₩17.5 million (approximately S$20,000) for its operations and settlement in the country. The top five teams from Demo Day will also get cash prizes of up to around ₩135 million (approximately S$155,000).

Most importantly, this program serves as a platform for the Singapore-based startup to interact with potential investors and gain partnership opportunities. 

“Other than the resources and funding provided by this program, they have kindly provided us with Korean interns to assist with language and cultural barriers, which will help us a lot in our operations in the country,” said LuXian Brueschweiler, the Lead Product Designer for Outside. 

The accelerator program will occur from 1 September to 30 November, with the Demo Day happening across three days from 19 November to 21 November. Before the program’s start, all startup teams have already served their compulsory 14-days quarantine in designated hotels and tested for COVID-19 to ensure public safety.