The company of the day is Mintpass, they are based in Korea, they sell a portable network device and you can find their website here. You will find below an interview with Joon Yang, the CEO of the company. All the best to them and congrats for being the startup of the day!

Website: www.mintpass.co.kr.

Interview with Joon Yang, the founder and the CEO of Mintpass

Who are you?

My name is Joon Yang. I am the founder and the CEO of Mintpass.

How do you feel being the most promising ‘company of the day’ per Microsoft?

It is an honor to be designated as a most promising company in Korea by the global leader in IT industry. And I believe that this will help mintpad in doing business in the long run.

What did you do before creating your company?

I have founded and managed ReignCom/iRiver, which is the leading MP3 player producer in Korea.

How did you get the idea? What s the genesis?

I believe that the future of the digital market requires the integration of the web and the device. So I wanted to build the device that can incorporate internet contents accessibility and portability. But the important point here is that I am not just aiming for convergence of the device with the web; rather, I want to take the concept of fusion and make something new and more interesting.

What do you sell? What is your company’s mission?

We sell a portable network device, the most significance of which is the memo taking function, as well as many other exciting functions. Our mission can be said to be this: We will use web contents, such as memo-taking and pictures, to create what we call the cultural syndrome. Our company will include the “fun” element in everything we do and make, so that consumers always enjoy our products.

What is your market?

Our market is basically borderless, because our product is so easy to use regardless of age and nationality.

Funding history? VCs? BA?

So far, investors already have made $2.5 million. Currently, many strategic investors are taking interests in our company so future funding is highly anticipated.

Growth? Internationalization?

Wherever there is internet connection and Wi-Fi connection, we believe that our product is marketable.

How many employees do you have? How many developers?

30 staff member, 15 developers.

Which platform are you building on? Why? ( No taboos)

Win CE 5.0 Professional because it is easy and cheap to use.

Is there something that you’re the only one to do on the market?

Our product is the only portable device that can access and edit blog thru Wi-Fi connection.

Where do you see opportunities today in the Software/internet areas?

Areas in which there is an integration of portable device and the net, and thru the network, device-to-device communication is possible.

Looking for funding? If yes, how much?

Yes, about $10 million.

What about the BizSpark Program? What do you think? Are you going to join? Why?

Yes, we will join. I believe it is a sound program. I also believe that through the BizSpark, we can increase our brand awareness throughout the world. It seems to be a nice marketing tool with various benefits.

Any advice to young Software entrepreneurs?

Do not hesitate challenge, and the door of the new opportunity will be opened to you!