Recently, second-year UC Irvine computer science major JeWan Youn was awarded a prestigious grant from the Korean government to support his supplement management startup Dosety. We at the ANTrepreneur Center connected with JeWan back in December 2024 to discuss his experience founding Dosety and his participation in our Side Hustle Challenge. Six months and many wins later, we checked back in with JeWan to see where his entrepreneurial journey has led him.
Ryan: Welcome back, JeWan! It’s great to see you again! Congrats on receiving the $40,000 grant from Korea! Can you share more about the grant and what it means for the next phase of Dosety?
JeWan: Thanks for having me, Ryan! It’s a prestigious national startup grant from the Korean government designed for founders who haven’t yet established a legal entity. The grant not only provides $40,000 in non-dilutive funding but also includes access to exclusive follow-up grants and mentorship from the government’s talent pool. It’s a full-time, six-to-eight-month program during which I’ll officially incorporate Dosety and scale it with this support. Starting this June, I’ll be working full-time on Dosety, with plans to officially launch in Korea this summer!
Ryan: That’s incredible! How did it feel to receive such an awesome opportunity?
JeWan: Securing the national grant was definitely one of my proudest moments. With Korea tightening its startup budget and increasing competition, the odds were tough. I even needed a special exception to pitch remotely from the U.S., which they granted. There were a lot of challenges, but I’m grateful I pushed through. Huge thanks to the ANTrepreneur Center and you for helping me refine the pitch and clarify my vision!
Ryan: Always happy to support, especially given all the cool things you’ve done over the past few months. For instance, you recently pitched at the TCVN Survivor event. What was that experience like? Any takeaways from pitching in front of that audience?
JeWan: It was a completely different experience from a traditional pitch—more like an elevator pitch in front of a large live audience, which was both nerve-wracking and exhilarating. I hadn’t planned to pitch, but I ended up jumping in and sharing the personal story behind Dosety. Next time, I’d definitely want to include more on feasibility, like market size and audience, to round out the narrative.
Ryan: Let’s talk some more about Dosety. How has it evolved since the last time we spoke?
JeWan: Yes, a lot has happened! We’ve formed exciting new partnerships and recently pivoted our concept to focus more vertically. While I can’t yet disclose details, we’re currently in conversations with a major Korean government-backed global accelerator and are actively expanding our team. I’ll be able to share more once everything is finalized—but big things are coming!
Ryan: What are your immediate next steps for product development, market entry, or customer acquisition?
JeWan: Our immediate focus is market entry. We’ve started opening waitlists and are actively reaching out to sports teams for beta testing and early adoption. We’re currently in touch with a K-League soccer player, which we’re really excited about—it’s a great opportunity to build traction within the athletic community.
Ryan: Looking back over your journey with Dosety, what’s one thing you wish you had known at the start?
JeWan: I wish I’d known to build the product and the team first. You’ll pivot more than you expect, and relying too much on external resources early on won’t get you far. I also learned that filing a patent too early can be a waste—it’s better to build, test, and validate before locking things in.
Ryan: How have you balanced being a student and running a startup, and what’s helped you stay grounded through it all?
JeWan: Fortunately, the time difference between Korea and the U.S. works in my favor. I focus on academics during the day and work with my team in Korea at night when it’s morning there. That rhythm keeps me productive. Also, having great mentors around has really helped me stay focused and grounded.
Ryan: How have UC Irvine’s resources helped you through this journey?
JeWan: The mentorship and entrepreneurial spirit at UC Irvine have been game-changers. You, Rany, and Mrs. Grag have all played key roles in helping me refine my ideas and navigate challenges. ANTrepreneur Center programs like the Side Hustle Challenge and AI Innovation Challenge gave me hands-on experience talking to customers and pitching effectively. Plus, I’ve been able to build a great network along the way.
Ryan: What advice would you give to other students who are thinking about turning a side project into a company?
JeWan: Nothing is stopping you—just build it! You’re in the perfect environment to start. UC Irvine offers amazing resources like mentorship, funding opportunities, and a network of potential co-founders. And don’t underestimate the power of being a student—people are more willing to help when they know you’re learning and growing. Take advantage of that and go for it.
Ryan: It was awesome to catch up with you, JeWan. Thank you again for sitting down with me and sharing your story. Last question, without giving too much away, any exciting news, upcoming launches, or goals you’re working toward in the next six months?
JeWan: Thank you again for having me! We’re aiming for a September launch, and I couldn’t be more excited. After that, we’re setting our sights on expanding to the U.S. in the next couple of years. Big things are coming!
Inspired by JeWan’s journey and interested in the other ideas coming from our student entrepreneurs? Visit our News Articles webpage to keep up with the latest interviews, professional insights, and student success stories.
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