Korean AI, DeepTech Builds a ‘365-Day Partnership System’ in Nevada

The Way company & K-EnterTech Hub Launch Year-Round Support Framework to Help Korean Companies Establish a Foothold in the U.S. West

March Webinar → Year-Round PoC → September Pitching & Korea Night → January CES… Phased Growth Roadmap Activated

① [Year-Round] Led by The Waycompany: Tailored PoC & Pilot for each company — Target: kickoff within 90 days of matching

② [September Intensive] Led by K-EnterTech Hub: Global Pitching & Korea Night 2026, linked with Reno Startup Week

③ [March–Monthly] ‘Why Nevada, Why Reno’ Webinar Series — Featuring Dr. Young-Kwon Son (DRI), Prof. Jungwon Park (UNR) & EDAWN leaders

④ [Completed] Feb 3–6 on-site meetings with Tesla, Renown Health, Dragonfly Energy, NV Energy & EDAWN

⑤ [MOU Signed] The Waycompany & K-EnterTech Hub sign official MOU with EDAWN

(RENO, NEVADA) February 7, 2026 — Tesla Gigafactory, massive data center clusters, and a steady stream of global big-tech investment. As AI and clean energy industries surge, Nevada is rapidly emerging as a new global hub for deep technology. With zero corporate and personal income tax, plus geostrategic advantages as a Western U.S. logistics hub, Nevada is attracting attention from Korean deep-tech companies as a ‘next basecamp’ beyond Silicon Valley.

At the center of this momentum, a ‘year-round partnership system’ has been established to systematically support Korean deep-tech startups entering Nevada. Rather than a short-term program limited to a specific period, this is a long-term partnership model that accompanies companies throughout the year, aligned with each stage of growth. Backed by an official MOU with EDAWN, this program is designed to support Korean companies from their very first step into Nevada through to tangible results.

The Way company (CEO Min-Kyung Kim) and K-EnterTechHub (CEO Jung Han) have designed a phased growth roadmap for Korean companies entering the U.S. market: ‘March Webinar (Market Understanding) → Year-Round PoC (Technology Validation) → September Main Event (Investment & Networking) → January CES 2027 (Global Expansion)’ — and are now launching full operations.

The program’s core design principle is a ‘Triple Structure.’ At each stage, the most qualified specialized organization takes the lead, while seamless connections between stages ensure participating companies can advance without interruption.

Why Nevada — The Land of Opportunity, by the Numbers

▲ February 5, 2026: EDAWN ‘State of Economy in Northern Nevada’ Luncheon at the Peppermill Hotel, Reno. Over 1,500 local business leaders and investors attended. (Photo: K-EnterTech Hub)

Nevada offers an unrivaled tax environment with zero corporate and personal income tax, geostrategic advantages as a Western U.S. logistics hub, and an industrial ecosystem anchored by the battery and energy value chain — Tesla, Panasonic, and Redwood Materials. The Reno-Sparks region in particular is emerging as a new axis for AI infrastructure, with billions of dollars in data center investment concentrated there, making it a location of high strategic value for Korean deep-tech companies.

At the February 5 EDAWN ‘State of Economy’ annual luncheon, EDAWN CEO Taylor Adams clearly assessed Northern Nevada’s economy as “strong.” According to the Reno Gazette Journal (February 6), Northern Nevada is recording 1.5–2% annual population growth (3–4x the U.S. average of 0.5%), 175 corporate site visits per year (top 1% nationally), a development pipeline exceeding $26 billion, manufacturing employment doubling over the past decade, data center capacity growth ranked #1 in the U.S. (with DC construction investment projected to increase 23% in 2026), and a 20GW power demand queue managed by NV Energy that underscores AI infrastructure growth.

“Our opportunities far outweigh our challenges. If we continue to focus on the disciplined development and growth we’ve demonstrated over the past 15 years, our region will be in excellent shape.”

— Taylor Adams, CEO, EDAWN

1. [Starting March] ‘Why Nevada’ Webinar — Understanding the Market First

The program’s first phase is the monthly online webinar series ‘Why Nevada, Why Reno,’ launching in March. This preparatory stage helps participating companies deeply understand the Nevada market so they can effectively engage in subsequent PoC activities and the September main event. Key local figures will participate directly to share practical insights.

“Nevada is not merely a market entry point — it is the ideal location for Korean companies to directly partner with U.S. universities and research institutes for joint technology development. Nevada’s research infrastructure, including UNR, is open to Korean deep-tech companies, and we expect this program to catalyze substantive collaboration.”

— Prof. Jeongwon Park, UNR / KSEA Nevada Chapter

“DRI possesses world-class research capabilities in climate, energy, and environmental sciences. There are tremendous opportunities for Korean deep-tech companies entering Nevada to create synergies with DRI’s research infrastructure. Through U.S.–Korea academic collaboration, we can build innovation models that create win-win outcomes for both countries.”

— Dr. Yeong-Kwon Son, DRI (Desert Research Institute)

2. [Year-Round] 365-Day Technology Validation (PoC) — The Program’s Core

The most notable aspect of this program is that technology validation (PoC) operates year-round. Companies can participate flexibly when they are ready, enabling market entry tailored to each company’s circumstances and pace.

Commercialization Track (Individual PoC & Pilot Program)

3. [Sep] Nevada Gateway & Korea Night — Taking Results to the Stage

This project showcases the technology, services, and experience of capable Korean startups and companies on a global stage, preparing them for overseas expansion. Year-round PoC results and participant capabilities will be spotlighted at the ‘Reno-Vegas Startup & VC Week’ starting September 28. K-EnterTech Hub will execute the ‘K-Nevada Gateway Program’ in partnership with MedionTech, Pacemakers, GenAxis, and Law Firm Mission — focusing on selecting Nevada-bound companies, pitching to local investors and corporations, business meetings, and providing on-site legal, tax, and strategic consulting. Companies that participated in The Waycompany’s PoC program will receive ‘priority participation’ and ‘pitching consulting.’

▲ Reno Startup Week performance overview: 1,400 registered attendees, 40% YoY increase in attendance, 48% increase in session participation. (Source: EDAWN State of Economy presentation)

3-1. Global Pitching & Meetup: ‘K-Nevada Gateway Program’

3-2. Cultural Convergence ‘Entertainment Tech’ Networking — Korea Night 2026

“K-Tech meets Nevada Industry & K-Culture.” A convergence networking event where technology and culture come together. Featuring K-Pop live performances, premium K-Food and K-Beauty showcases, the event creates a natural platform for engagement with local political and business leaders, deepening business relationships.

4. Execution Structure — ‘Field’ and ‘System’ Working Together

The program’s strength lies in the close collaboration between ‘Field Partners’ who discover demand directly on the ground, and ‘System Partners’ who systematically support investment attraction, branding, and marketing.

5. [Field Report] February 3–6: On-Site Collaboration & MOU Signing in Nevada

Ahead of the program’s official launch, a delegation of Korean company representatives led by The Waycompany and K-EnterTech Hub visited Reno, Nevada from February 3 to 6. The team conducted relay meetings with key local institutions and companies including Tesla Gigafactory, Renown Health, Dragonfly Energy, NV Energy, SNWA, and EDAWN, confirming concrete directions for collaboration.

Notably, at the EDAWN State of the Economy Luncheon (1,500+ attendees), the Korean delegation was assigned to the Tesla VIP table, engaging in close networking with local political and business leaders. A follow-up meeting with EDAWN staff at the Reno Convention Center established dedicated incentive pathways and a direct communication channel for Korean companies.

▲ CEO Min-Kyung Kim of The Waycompany (right) visits Renown Health, discussing AI healthcare PoC collaboration with local administrators. (February 6, Reno, Nevada)

Official MOU Signed with EDAWN

As the highlight of this visit, The Waycompany and K-EnterTech Hub signed an official Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada (EDAWN). Both sides agreed on supporting Korean companies’ entry into Nevada, co-operating programs, and investment attraction collaboration — establishing the official foundation for the K-Nevada Bridge Program.

▲ CEO Jung-Hoon Han of K-EnterTech Hub (left) and EDAWN representative (right) sign the official MOU. (February 5, Reno, Nevada)

▲ CEO Min-Kyung Kim of The Waycompany (left) and EDAWN representative (right) sign the MOU. (February 5, Reno, Nevada)

6. [Interview] Min-Kyung Kim, CEO of The Waycompany

Min-Kyung Kim, CEO of The Waycompany, who spearheaded this project, explained: “The core value of this program lies in ‘sustainability’ and ‘tangible results.’”

Q. What differentiates this from existing programs?

“It’s a ‘year-round partnership system’ that runs continuously from March webinars through year-round PoC, the September main event, and all the way to CES next January. We designed a structure where each stage connects naturally, so Korean companies can begin generating real results from the moment they set foot in Nevada.”

— Min-Kyung Kim, CEO, The Waycompany

Q. What’s unique about the content approach?

“What companies need right now is a ‘strategy to actually commercialize their technology in the local market.’ Through a ‘hybrid curriculum’ that combines Brian Gordon’s economic data analysis with Alex’s hands-on business modeling, we first identify the tech specs and pricing structures the local market demands, then connect Korean companies’ technologies accordingly.”

— Min-Kyung Kim, CEO, The Waycompany

Q. What are your goals going forward?

“We’ve already laid the groundwork for concrete collaboration with Tesla, Renown Health, NV Energy, and others through our February on-site meetings. We’ve also secured an official cooperation framework through the MOU with EDAWN. Our goal is for K-Nevada Bridge to become a trusted platform that helps Korean deep-tech companies establish lasting roots in the Nevada market.”

— Min-Kyung Kim, CEO, The Waycompany

7. Roadmap — From March’s First Step to January 2027’s Leap

From market understanding to technology validation, investment attraction, and global expansion. Each phase is organically connected to support participating companies’ growth without interruption.

Nevada is no longer just ‘the tourism state.’ As the Tesla Gigafactory and global data center clusters demonstrate, Nevada is rapidly transforming into a new epicenter for AI, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing. The K-Nevada Bridge Program is designed to place Korean deep-tech companies at the heart of this enormous opportunity.

An official MOU with EDAWN, academic collaboration channels with DRI and UNR, and direct operational connections with key local companies including Tesla and Renown Health — this program is a full-journey partnership platform enabling Korean companies to achieve not just ‘short-term visits’ but ‘long-term establishment’ in Nevada. From the first webinar in March to CES in January 2027, the 365-day partnership has already begun.

[Contact]

K-EnterTech Hub | CEO Jung Han existen75@kentertechhub.com

Thewaycompany | CEO  Michelle Minkyung Kim contact@thewaycompany.co.kr