KT Achieves Target in 27 Hours with Support from Gyeonggi Creative Economy Innovation Center

KT announced on the 24th that Haebora, a startup nurtured by the 2nd cohort of K-Champ at the Gyeonggi Creative Economy Innovation Center (hereinafter Gyeonggi Center), succeeded in raising a total of $750,000 (approximately 850 million KRW) over 30 days on the US crowdfunding site 'Kickstarter'.

Haebora's 'Ripplebuds' earset reached its funding goal of $50,000 in just 27 hours after the start of crowdfunding on Kickstarter, and raised $750,000 during the funding that continued until the end on the 22nd (KST), exceeding the goal by approximately 1,500 percent.



The RippleBuds headset utilizes technology that blocks out ambient noise by embedding a microphone in the earphones. Since standard hands-free earphones transmit the voice directly from the mouth, ambient noise gets mixed in, making it difficult to eliminate noise to that extent even if a noise cancellation chip is included.

On the other hand, Haebora's Ripplebuds capture sound coming from the ears, so a clear voice with ambient noise blocked is transmitted to the other party. Haebora holds 117 patents related to its products and technology.

The support from KT and the Gyeonggi Center played a key role in enabling the startup Haebora to develop this product. Recognizing the high utility of Haebora's product in industrial settings and daily life, KT leveraged its smartphone accessory distribution capabilities to provide consulting and enhance the product's quality. Furthermore, KT plans to directly purchase the initial shipment and distribute it to KT Network Division personnel and KT Telecop field staff working in noisy environments.

In addition, to enable the company to focus on product launch, we have been providing incubation space at the K-Champ Seocho Center, located in the new building of KT Bangbae, since August 2015, and have also supported the pre-promotion of the product overseas by providing a promotional booth at MWC Shanghai, an international exhibition in which KT participates.

The Gyeonggi Center promoted the product intensively for two months using social media channels targeting a total of 18 countries, and increased awareness of the product by promoting overseas media coverage, such as producing an English YouTube video with Haebora and distributing it to foreign correspondents stationed in Korea.

Shin Doo-sik, CEO of Haebora, stated, “We did not become complacent, assuming that crowdfunding would automatically succeed just because the product was unique and outstanding. Receiving various support from KT and the Gyeonggi Center, along with continuous mentoring, was of great help in this success.”