Fit3D CEO Greg Moore, 2nd place winner. Photo

Just after announcing the opening of its new Content Lab in Silicon Valley, edtech startup BeNative announced its partnership agreement with GSV EdTech Innovation Lab. Through this partnership, BeNative will house its content development center and hold key events such as pitch competitions at GSV Labs.

The aim of the pitch competitions and other activities organized by BeNative, through GSVLabs, is to ease local startups and SME’s entry to rapidly developing opportunities in Asia. BeNative supports by creating and hosting content on their platform, which is targeted at businesses in Asia. In so doing USA-based companies are able to build their brand in Asia, supported with local language translations. This will open opportunities for business development and the formation of strategic partnerships in Asia.

“GSVlabs is thrilled to collaborate with BeNative to provide such an exciting opportunity for our startups to share their stories with the world and to accelerate innovation globally.” said Nancy Lue, GM EdTech Innovation Lab at GSVlabs.

As a first event, BeNative held a successful pitch competition in the newly established center. The participating startups were recommended by local accelerators in the Silicon Valley area. Contestants introduced their business models and pitched in front of a live crowd. Judges included Sam Hayes, former Vice President of NASDAQ Private Market and current CEO of InsideRound Financial; Atusko Jenks, a top consultant in US-Japan affairs for over 20 years; and Alan Moonsoo Kim, CEO of BeNative. Also present was West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin.

The prize for the winners, a trip to Korea and Japan to meet with VCs, is a nod to the global spirit on which BeNative was founded. “It was a pleasure to host a pitch competition for startups in Silicon Valley, the hub of the world’s technological innovations. We will share these promising American startups with venture capitalists in Korea and Japan.” said Kim CEO of BeNative.

The winner of the competition was chosen based on the 4 P’s (People, Product, Potential, and Predictability). As a result of their innovation in the Tech sector, Books That Grow, an edtech company that provides an adaptive reading platform, was awarded first prize. “Books That Grow is honored to be the winner of the BeNative-GSV Labs Pitch Competition.  BeNative has an extraordinary brand and leadership team and we are looking forward to partnering with them to expand our reach in Asia.” said Daniel Fountenberry, CEO of Books That Grow.

Through the partnership with GSVlabs and opening of a content development center in the heart of Silicon Valley, BeNative hopes to help American startup entrepreneurs  expand into Asia, save time while enjoying more success, operate fully Asian-localized products, obtain professional capital networks, and increase sales from the Asian market.