LEVANES Corporation, on behalf of the City of Sendai, is promoting the Sendai-Tohoku Expansion Program (STEP), which supports startups from Sendai and Tohoku to take on the challenge of solving global issues. As part of this program, a series of global business seminars ("Learn from the Pioneers of Global Expansion! series) are held from August to December.

Outline of the 4th Global Business Seminar
Date: Tuesday, October 7, 2025, 16:00-17:00 @ Urbannet Sendai Chuo Building
Title: Developing Strategies and Plans for Southeast Asian Expansion
Organized by: City of Sendai, Operated by: Riverness Inc.
Special Presentation: Mr. Hong-Kyung Min, President of Liberaware Inc.
Moderator: Shuhei Tsukada, Executive Officer, Liverness Inc.

Develop a strategy and plan for Southeast Asia expansion

Mr. Hong-Kyung Min, President of Liberaware, Inc. took the stage to share his experiences in global business development through the "IBIS" series of indoor inspection drones, and provided insights from the three perspectives of "planning and the field," "hypothesis and revision," and "short-term and long-term. He spoke about the process of taking the "unexpected" in the field flexibly and identifying collaborators to materialize the business step by step, while realizing that the initial hypothesis may not always fit the local market.

⸻ 1. stand in the field with a hypothesis
Early attempts to expand in Korea did not go as expected. In order to find out what was not sticking, he went to Korea to get a firsthand understanding of the needs of the people there. The key to success is not "differences between countries" but "understanding people," in other words, being able to discern what the other party is looking for.

⸻ 2. MOU is a tool for "name recognition" and "key man connection"
At Liberaware, MOU signing is not just a partnership, but a strategic act in lieu of a business card to get closer to key players in the local market. By increasing name recognition, the next key player to meet will naturally appear. The concept of "tie and find," rather than "tie and end," is driving the expansion of the business.

⸻ 3. conceive long term and work on short term
In the short term, we will focus on Asia for demonstration and collaboration, and in the long term, we will calmly determine "where to place the center of gravity of our activities". Strategically choose to build a foundation in Asia based on factors of distance, culture, and cost.
The flexible conceptualization ability typical of venture companies to "think long term and work out in the short term" was a learning experience for the audience.

Move with a hypothesis, revise it locally, and draw the next development. This session made me feel that this continuous learning process is the true practice of global development.
For participants considering how to take the first step, which they have never done before, Mr. Minh's attitude of creating answers locally, rather than taking the answers with him, was a great stimulus, not only for overseas expansion, but also for learning common to a wide range of contexts.

Click here to see the past implementation reports.

Session 1 Lecturer: Mr. Kengo Suzuki, Co-founder and Executive Fellow

Session 2 Lecturer: Mr. Shingo Akao, President, Ball Wave Corporation

Lecturer: Mr. Ken Matsui, CEO and Representative Director, ugo Co.

In the 5th session on Thursday, October 23, Mr. Hideaki Itami, Director, Asia Region, Platinum Bio Corporation, will give a lecture on the theme of "Obtaining Local Evidence through Collaboration with Research Institutions.

RIVERNESS will do its utmost to support the process of startups facing real local challenges and growing while integrating business and research.

Based on Liberaware's practice this time, we will delve into the verification phase in the next issue.

We invite everyone who wants to be part of the challenge to change the world with the power of deep tech to join us.

*Non-startup companies entering this program are also free to attend.

Researchers, private companies, and government officials are encouraged to attend.

To apply, please register at the following page.

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Inquiries regarding this matter
RIVANES Corporation (Attn: Mai Inoue, Saito)
TEL：03-5227-4198 E-mail：[email protected]