Seoul, Korea — March 5, 2026

Exprive hosted a delegation of 50 graduate students from the University of Miami Herbert Business School for a startup ecosystem visit in Seongsu, one of Seoul’s fastest-growing innovation districts.

The group—composed of students from MBA, Master of International Business, Finance, Accountancy, and Sustainable Business programs—joined local founders and operators for presentations and discussions on building global businesses from Korea.

The program took place at KT&G Sangsang Planet, a hub for startups and creative ventures, where students explored how Korean companies are expanding internationally across multiple industries.

Founders & Hustlers Share Global Startup Insights around Seongsu in Seoul

During the session, leaders from five startups and six brands shared their experiences building companies at the intersection of technology, travel, beauty, and digital media.

MyRealTrip: Building Korea’s Leading Travel Platform

The inbound travel business team at MyRealTrip introduced students to the company’s approach to international tourism and digital travel services.

As one of Korea’s most prominent travel platforms, MyRealTrip connects global travelers with curated local experiences and has played a key role in modernizing inbound tourism to Korea.

Students asked questions about international partnerships, market expansion, and how the company navigates post-pandemic travel trends.

Heyo Active & Fivel: Next-Generation K-Beauty Brands

Julia Lee, founder of The Mavens Inc., presented two emerging beauty brands:

• Heyo Active – an active wellness brand designed for people constantly on the move

• Fivel – a bold Gen-Z beauty brand positioning cosmetics as fashion

The presentation explored how K-beauty brands are evolving beyond skincare into lifestyle-driven concepts that resonate globally.

Students were particularly interested in cross-border brand building, retail strategy, and TikTok-driven beauty marketing.

Ficus Korea: SaaS and the Metaverse Economy

The team from Ficus Korea shared insights on building SaaS products for immersive digital environments and the future of metaverse-driven platforms.

The discussion focused on:

• enterprise adoption of virtual environments

• new digital economy models

• opportunities for Korean tech startups in global markets

EduShort: Education in the Age of TikTok

EduShort, a startup focused on short-form learning content, presented its approach to TikTok-based education and creator economy training.

The company works with creators and educators to develop learning content optimized for short-form video platforms.

Students were curious about how education, social media, and monetization intersect in the creator economy.

Exprive: Building Asia’s Expat Influencer Community

Exprive founder Min Baek introduced the platform’s mission of connecting expat creators, global students, and international businesses across Asia.

Through events, collaborations, and curated experiences, Exprive helps brands reach international audiences while building communities around travel, healthcare, and professional growth.

The presentation also highlighted how cross-cultural networks can accelerate global business expansion.

A Highly Interactive Discussion

The session concluded with a lively Q&A session, where students asked more than 30 questions covering topics such as:

• launching startups in Korea

• global expansion strategies

• influencer marketing and creator communities

• the future of K-beauty and digital platforms

Participants praised the openness of the founders and the opportunity to gain firsthand insight into Korea’s startup ecosystem.

Strengthening Global Business Connections

Visits like this reflect Exprive’s broader mission: connecting international communities with Korea’s most innovative companies and industries.

By bringing together global students and local entrepreneurs, the program offers participants a deeper understanding of how Korean startups operate and scale in the global market.

As Seoul continues to emerge as a hub for technology, beauty, and culture, initiatives like these help build the next generation of cross-border business leaders.

About Exprive

Exprive is a platform connecting expat creators, international students, and global businesses across Asia. Through curated events, collaborations, and professional networks, Exprive helps brands and organizations engage with international communities and explore new market opportunities.