South Korea is the rising name of the 21st century in the world of technology. In the last few years, a lot of Korean startups had made a good name for themselves. South Korea is slowly developing a community that broadly nurtures startups and innovations. The talent is not hidden; how far can it hide from the eyes of Google Inc. (GOOG, Financial)? Google is known for talent acquisition around the world; therefore, it was not much of a surprise when Google announced the opening of campus program in Seoul. Seoul is a well known place for budding entrepreneurs and innovators who seek guidance and opportunities.
Korean startups are making headlines around the world, especially in the area of mobile space. Bridget Beam, the program manager for Google in his Campus talk of August 2014, mentioned that “We want to support the booming community of entrepreneurs” and the announcement of Google Campus in Seoul proved it right. It was the latest Google-driven charge in the technical culture of South Korea. The corporation has been lurking around for blooming such an opportunity since last few years not and has ran couple of programs which are specifically designed to foster startups. The Global-K Program to the massive and worldwide start up weekend which has proven to be veritable startup factory.
Expectations from Google
Google will provide unparalleled access to mentorship and training by local startups and guidance by experienced entrepreneurs and teams from the corporations. It will provide guidance and platform to the young innovators once the campus is up and running.
The company is planning to open doors of the campus in the first half of 2015. Looking beyond the campus opening there are lot of questions that need attention from the corporation. Why aim for a smaller city with many innovators and technological grounds? Why not the biggest city of the country? There are larger cities in Korea where Google can base its campus, but aiming for the home base of technology and innovation raises one's eyebrows.
Success rate of Google Campus
Looking at the past record of Google’s other campuses which, after the start in a mere 18 months, had enrolled over 22,000 members and created more than 500 jobs within the campus –Â The campus endeavors of Google are well proven by their track record. The London campus started in 2011 and was able to raise more than $50 million within a year. So if Google has planned for a campus in Seoul, one can assume that the city has in itself an unlocked potential, of which it might not have been aware, but the corporation had an eye for. The thought of not going to college but going to work and learning the environment for a massive conglomerate is a new culture that South Korea needs to adapt.
The like-minded individuals and mentors all at one place is an amazing concept and the Seoul campus might be the most promising campus in the world. For one South Korea has the fastest internet speed in the world and is going to be even faster now. This is the reason why practically they are ahead and demand for the online apps and stuff is sky high in the country. The time is right for South Korea to change the world. Google will gain a lot in the future from the brain drain of South Korea.
