August 13, 2019
Media Contact:
Scott L. Peterson, Director of Communications, Office of Public Information, 202-277-9412
COLUMBIA, MD – Yesterday, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Howard County Economic Development Authority (HCEDA) and Born2Global Center (B2G), a Korean accelerator. The MOU establishes a partnership between HCEDA and B2G in order to create a soft-landing zone at the Howard County Innovation Center for qualified South Korean startups. Photos of the event can be found here.
“Earlier this year I signed an MOU to launch our innovation center to support growing small businesses and supporting emerging entrepreneurs. Now, we are taking another innovative step forward to make our County a global destination for bold, exciting startups,” said Ball. “Howard County, with the highest percentage of Korean-American residents in Maryland and over 170 Korean-American-owned businesses, has a strong connection to our neighbors in South Korea. Now, as the “Silicon Valley” of the East Coast of the United States, we will partner with the ‘Silicon Valley of South Korea’ to grow our local economy.”
“I am excited to celebrate the partnership between Howard County Economic Development Authority and K-ICT Born2Global, which signifies a wonderful collaboration between our two regions,” said Maryland First Lady Yumi Hogan. “This relationship will provide the country with an excellent example of how states can provide resources for international partners who want to enter the global market. Congratulations to both the Howard County Economic Development Authority and K-ICT Born2Global for their exciting initiative, and thank you for being a part of our efforts to change Howard County and Maryland for the better.”
“The partnership between Born2Global and HCEDA will enable both the respective tech communities to grow and prosper together,” said Lawrence Twele, CEO of HCEDA. “This international landing zone will provide greater opportunities for international collaboration in both communities and increase access to the business opportunities present in each other’s markets.”
"Howard County's new international soft-landing space is a model as the state moves forward with our county partners to grow Maryland's economy through international investment and trade," said Maryland Commerce Deputy Secretary Ben Wu. "Maryland and Korea share a commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship, and this partnership between Born2Global and the Howard County Economic Development Authority sets the stage for more collaboration to come."
“Through the MOU, I believe that innovative young entrepreneurs from South Korea and Howard County will have a meaningful opportunity to build a greater vision and succeed in the global market,” said Born2Global President Jong-Kap Kim.
Born2Global Center (B2G) is a South Korean government agency which contributes to the national startup ecosystem. Each year, B2G selects over 100 startups with high potential for entering the global market. B2G provides services such as professional consulting in law, patents, accounting, marketing, investment and business development. 50 of the startups are selected to reside in the business space known as the “K-Global Startup Hub” and receive consulting services at the Startup Campus. The Startup Campus in Pangyo is the “Silicon Valley” of South Korea, emerging as the latest hot spot in the thriving startup ecosystem.