How do you export software and IT services?
Global Expansion Strategies for SaaS, Apps, and IT Services
Market Overview
The global software market is approximately $600 billion in size. It is growing due to the transition to cloud/SaaS and increasing demand for AI/ML. Korean software is competitive in the fields of gaming, security, and fintech.
Global Expansion Strategies
Software represents the concept of service export or overseas expansion, rather than the export of physical products. There are various methods such as establishing local subsidiaries, partnerships/resellers, and cloud-based direct sales (SaaS).
Regulations and Certifications
You need to consider GDPR (EU Personal Data), CCPA (California, USA), ISO 27001 (Information Security), SOC 2 (Service Organization Control), and FedRAMP (U.S. Government Cloud).
Buyer/Customer Types
There are corporate clients (B2B SaaS), consumers (B2C apps), government/public institutions, IT service resellers, and system integrators.
Key Exhibitions/Conferences
Notable events include CES (USA, January), Web Summit (Portugal, November), SaaStr Annual (USA, September), AWS re:Invent (USA, December), Google Cloud Next, and MWC (Spain, February).
Buyer Type
Corporate Clients (B2B)
SaaS, companies using enterprise software
IT Service Reseller
Partners distributing software locally
Government/Public Institutions
E-Government, Public IT System Procurement
Mandatory Certification
Major Exhibitions
| common.tableHeaders.tradeShowName | common.tableHeaders.location | common.tableHeaders.period |
|---|---|---|
| CES | Las Vegas, USA | January |
| Web Summit | Lisbon, Portugal | November |
| SaaStr Annual | San Francisco, USA | September |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is GDPR compliance mandatory?
A. It applies to all companies that process the personal data of EU citizens. Even Korean companies must comply with GDPR when handling EU customer data.
Q. Is a local entity necessary for overseas expansion of a SaaS business?
A. It is not absolutely necessary. While you can provide services globally based on the cloud, as your revenue scales, you may want to consider establishing a corporation for tax, contractual, and local sales purposes.