Asan Nanum Foundation Launches Pilot Operation of 'MaruSF' Silicon Valley Hub in the U.S.

Developed as a Community Hub in Silicon Valley

The Asan Nanum Foundation announced on May 9 that it will begin a pilot operation this month at 'MaruSF,' its Silicon Valley hub established to support Korean startups expanding into the United States, as it welcomes its first batch of teams.

'MaruSF' is a name that combines Maru (MARU), the entrepreneurship platform operated by the Asan Nanum Foundation, and San Francisco, where the hub is located. It is being developed as a community hub where Korean startups preparing to enter the U.S. market can quickly explore the local market and build networks within the Silicon Valley startup ecosystem.

The first batch team of MaruSF 1st Membership Startup is taking a commemorative photo. Asan Nanum Foundation

The pilot operation is a phase for startups to evaluate short-term residential spaces and networking programs. Prior to the official launch in the second half of the year, the foundation plans to optimize the facilities, program structure, and overall operational methods.

'Membership startups' eligible to use MaruSF can stay in short-term residential spaces for a minimum of four weeks and up to seven weeks, participating in various networking programs. A total of 19 teams were selected for the first membership cohort, and they can utilize MaruSF for up to 16 weeks over one year by leveraging their membership status.

A representative from the Asan Nanum Foundation stated, "Through this pilot operation, we aim to closely listen to the voices of startups preparing to enter the U.S. market and those in the American startup ecosystem, and to design more systematic and practical support for global expansion."