Bennedict Kim

About Bennedict Kim

I am the General Manager of Hana Makgeolli, an artisanal Korean rice wine producer based in Brooklyn, NY. By using only organic rice, nuruk, and traditional brewing methodologies, we build a complex flavor profile showcasing the breadth and depth of Korean sool. We are a celebration of the traditions of Korean homebrewing and this labor of love. I am also an associate with M1C, investing in early stage start-ups at the intersection of sustainability x software. We power the founders building a sustainable tomorrow. Over the past decade, I have worked with and supported frontier technology solutions to address our greatest climate challenges. My broad experience as an electrical engineer at an IoT startup, program manager at accelerator/incubator programs, and investor in early-stage ventures, has equipped me with a unique blend of operational expertise and strategic insight to scaling climate solutions. What I do: I build systems and tools for people - I’ve designed due diligence processes, implemented CRM systems, and led OKR sessions to drive program success. I always take a people-first approach to ensure the adoption and sustainability of any project I work on. I solve problems, technical and non-technical - It’s been a while since I debugged a circuit but the problem solving mindset is deeply ingrained. The challenges I run into lately are more “cloud” than “clock” problems but that only makes the solution all the more interesting. I learn from everywhere - My diverse career experiences from engineering to venture selection (and even my time as a line cook at a James Beard-nominated restaurant) enables me to bring a different perspective and awareness to my work. In my free time, you can find me kicking a soccer ball, perfecting my ramen broth recipe, or dragging my rescue Jindo puppy, Koda, away from squirrels.

Experience

1. Entrepreneur in Residence

   The Nature Conservancy

   Apr 2025 — Present

Education

• Tufts University

  Bachelor of Science (BS), Electrical and Electronics Engineering

  2012 — 2016

• Tufts University

  Master’s Degree, Innovation and Management

  2016 — 2017

Skills

• Microsoft Office
• Research
• Customer Service
• Event Planning
• Editing
• Public Speaking
• Teaching
• Leadership
• Teamwork
• Social Media
• Powerpoint
• Microsoft Excel
• Matlab
• Microsoft Word