The K-Style Expo Q1 2026, scheduled for Wednesday, March 25, 2026, is set to become the definitive global stage for K-Lifestyle innovation. Presented by beSUCCESS Media Group, this virtual event will gather Korea’s most ambitious startups in sectors ranging from K-Beauty and K-Fashion to K-Gaming and K-Learning to pitch before a world-class panel of investors and industry leaders. Here are thebal judges for K-Style Expo Q1 2026.
Meet the Global Judges Shaping Korea’s Next Startup Wave at K-Style Expo Q1 2026
To ensure the highest caliber of feedback and investment potential, the expo has curated a judging panel representing key global markets, including Silicon Valley, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and India.
Keynote & Strategic Market Entry
Leading the charge is Goya Choe, Founder of GOYA Studio in Dubai. As both the keynote speaker and a judge, she brings over 13 years of experience in connecting Korean innovation with the Middle East market. Her evaluation focus will remain on cultural alignment and real commercial potential for brands ready to expand beyond Asia.
The Venture Capital Perspective
The panel features heavyweights from the global venture capital landscape:
- Grace Kim, Partner at Primer Sazze Partners, provides a Silicon Valley lens. She specializes in consumer tech and retail, seeking founders who can turn the “impossible” into reality through relentless execution.
- Michelle Chang of Pegatron Venture Capital bridges the gap between deep manufacturing expertise and startup agility. She will evaluate startups on their technological edge and the diversity of their founding teams.
- Athaya, representing BNI Ventures (the CVC arm of Bank Negara Indonesia), brings an emerging markets perspective. She will scrutinize financial fundamentals and a startup’s potential to thrive within the dynamic Southeast Asian tech ecosystem.
Operational Excellence & Ecosystem Growth
Focusing on the mechanics of scaling, several judges bring deep operational experience:
- Adrien Wang, COO of One Tree Hill Ventures, offers an ecosystem-driven perspective rooted in his work across Singapore and Korea. He prioritizes scalability and the strength of cross-border partnerships.
- Robin Lee, a strategic leader at SHOPLINE, leverages 18 years of experience in e-commerce and SaaS. She will evaluate companies on their cross-border scalability and e-commerce readiness.
- Bella Irmena Puteri, AVP of Programs at Meet Ventures, introduces a humanistic edge to the panel. Her evaluation goes beyond business models to interrogate the societal ripple effects and cultural narratives of disruption.
Entrepreneurial Grit & Financial Rigor
The panel is rounded out by experts in founder readiness and financial discipline:
- Arun Rajiah, a serial entrepreneur and Venture Partner at Lvl1 Accelerator, brings a founder-first perspective. Having exited multiple startups, he weighs fundability against the lived challenges of building from the ground up.
- Shakeel Ahamed, Founder and CEO of WisePrince, champions practical innovation. He prioritizes business model viability and “investor-readiness” over hype.
- Sunay Kumat, an Angel Investor with over 12 years in global financial services, applies data-driven rigor. He will evaluate the underlying economics and long-term sustainability of each pitching venture.
The European Gateway
- Urška Vračun, a seasoned mentor and association leader, brings hands-on cross-border experience to help founders navigate international expansion and land successfully in European markets.
K-Style Expo Q1 2026: Event Details & High Stakes
The K-Style Expo Q1 2026 is a highly competitive, curated event where only 15 startups will be selected to pitch. The 1st Place Winner will receive an Exclusive Post-Event Support Package, which includes at least five curated 1:1 investor introductions and priority global media exposure through beSUCCESS.
Date: Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Time: 4 PM – 6 PM KST (12 AM – 2 AM PDT
Platform: Zoom
Registration: Luma Page or Official Website
Limited seats are available for verified investors and startup founders.
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