Claire ChangInvestor

United States - Palo Alto, California,

For over 20 years, Claire has brought her global marketing expertise to both established and startup companies in Silicon Valley and Korea. Claire formulates and executes global marketing strategies for her clients with a personal understanding of the unique challenges entrepreneurs face as they bring new ideas, products, and services to the global market.

By combining her strategic marketing and business development background, Claire has been passionate in working with entrepreneurs, helping them access the US market to build highly scalable global companies. And with her extensive personal and professional network in Silicon Valley and Korea, Claire is a highly regarded connector and conduit.

Most recently, Claire founded igniteXL, a Silicon Valley-based accelerator and seed fund focused on early stage startups from Korea exploring or expanding to global markets. Since 2014, 120 Korean founders have graduated from igniteXL's Silicon Valley immersion and market access programs. Taking a very focused, customized and high-touch approach, igniteXL has developed a reputation among entrepreneurs as ‘must-have’, ‘dedicated team’, and ‘best-partner in Silicon Valley’.

In addition to her professional work, Claire's leadership extends to a number of professional and community organizations. She currently serves as a board member at Silver Creek Valley Country Club, Vice Chair at San Francisco-Seoul Sister City Committee. In the past, Claire has served as the Chairman of the Asian Business League of San Francisco board as well as other various leadership roles with the Korea IT Network and AAMA Connect Conference.

Born in South Korea and fluent in Korean, Claire has spent the past 20 years in the United States nurturing her love of technology marketing and fostering global connections. In the boardroom, on the golf course, over dinner, and on the slopes, Claire is an expert communicator and connector, successfully promoting her partners’ brands and growth.