On the 4th, SmartDongSchool announced that it had been selected to participate in the global market expansion program by the startup accelerator 500 Global (formerly known as 500 Startups), one of Silicon Valley’s leading accelerators.
500 Global is one of the world’s most well-known organizations that invests in startups and provides them with mentorship. Since its founding, the company has invested in approximately 2,000 startups worldwide and helped create 22 unicorns — companies valued at over one billion dollars. The organization is dedicated to nurturing talented entrepreneurs and high-potential startups capable of succeeding in global markets.
The 500 Startups global expansion program offers one-on-one mentoring from experts with extensive international networks. This support helps companies enhance their competitiveness and develop strategies for entering overseas markets. Program participants have the opportunity to present their products and businesses in markets such as Japan, the United States, Singapore, Southeast Asia, and others, as well as receive feedback from potential investors.
Previously, SmartDongSchool was recognized as a Seoul Brand Partner 2021 for its functional planner-journal DotePlanner, which is based on Peter Drucker’s theories and allows users to structure their daily schedule in three lines. In 2020, the company was also recognized in the Hobby and Stationery category on the Gobizkorea Go Go Global platform as a promising exporter, demonstrating the potential of its product. Their products are officially sold in nine countries, including Singapore, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Japan, and China.
Later, the company launched the time management app DoteTimer, built on the principles of DotePlanner and targeting global users. With support for 18 languages — from Korean and English to German, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Spanish — the app laid a solid foundation for global expansion. Its unique interface and visualization features drew attention from tech giants like Google and Samsung, leading to partnerships with both companies.
SmartDongSchool CEO Na Jun Gyu stated:
“We are gradually expanding into overseas markets, and recognition from the global accelerator 500 Global is an important step forward. Through our participation in the 500 Startups program, we expect to achieve successful entry not only into Asian markets but also into North America.”
