Small business launches in Asia with Coupang, sharing its adventure-driven, natural ingredient philosophy with Korean consumers.

Kate’s Real Food, the Pennsylvania-based maker of organic energy, protein, and mini bars, is expanding into South Korea for the first time through a new partnership with Coupang, one of the fastest-growing retailers and U.S. tech companies in the world. The collaboration brings Kate’s natural-ingredient, adventure-ready bars to new consumers in South Korea, where Coupang serves one out of every two Koreans.

“As a brand built on organic ingredients and real food you can recognize, we’ve seen a clear shift in what people expect from the food they choose,” said Mark Thaler, Executive Vice President of Sales for Kate’s Real Food. “Our partnership with Coupang allows us to meet that demand in South Korea, introducing Kate’s to new customers without compromising what makes our snack bars different.”

Coupang, a U.S. company based in Seattle, works as a strong ally for other American businesses to provide a direct sales channel into Asia, allowing them to grow their revenue by reaching new customers.

“At Coupang, we’re proud to help thousands of American small and medium-sized businesses, agricultural producers, and larger brands sell their goods to customers around the world,” said Coupang vice president Bill Anaya. “We’ve built an innovative, AI-driven export engine that enables great American entrepreneurs — like those who created Kate’s Real Food — to expand their horizons, find new revenue abroad and keep growing their local teams.”

Coupang’s online retail services are currently helping thousands of U.S. brands — from Calvin Klein and HP to American agricultural producers and small businesses like Kate’s — drive billions of dollars in international sales every year by exporting their products to South Korea and other Asian countries.

U.S. sellers simply ship their products to one of Coupang’s U.S. logistics facilities, and Coupang’s world-class logistics teams receive, store, pick, pack, and ship directly to customers in Korea.

Leveraging AI to grow U.S. exports

Coupang is investing billions to expand AI and other advanced technologies to help American businesses reach overseas customers and export their goods faster. This includes AI advancements that help Coupang forecast customer demand and automate the fulfillment process with sorting robots and AI-optimized logistics.

These innovations are creating experiences for Coupang customers that previously seemed impossible. For example, many Coupang customers can order fresh groceries or a new smartphone by midnight and find them at their door by dawn the next morning.

A founder-driven story rooted in real adventures

Kate’s Real Food began in the Rocky Mountains when founder Kate Schade needed an organic snack to keep her fueled on her outdoor adventures. Her homemade energy bars quickly gained a following, long before they ever hit store shelves.

“When I first met her in Wilson, Wyoming, she worked at a local restaurant where she’d give guests a small ‘nugget’ of her bar instead of an after-dinner mint,” Thaler said. “It’s been a joy to see these products grow from free samples in a little restaurant to reaching customers across the United States — and now South Korea.”

Today, Kate’s Real Food partners with The Organic Snack Company in Bedford, Pennsylvania, a Safe Quality Food (SQF) certified facility. Together, they uphold a commitment to organic ingredients, responsible sourcing, and real food made with care. The team oversees ingredient sourcing, testing, production, and fulfillment while maintaining certifications including USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, and Kosher Certified.

“Our advice to other U.S. companies considering Coupang is to view it as a strategic way to reach new customers,” said Kate’s Chief Marketing Officer Brittany Thaler. “For us, it’s created a platform for international growth, and we’re excited about the road ahead.”

Products launching with Coupang

Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate – A less-sweet take on a classic, where roasted peanut butter and dark chocolate meet hearty oats, fiber-rich dried fruit and true source certified honey to help you stay energized throughout your day.

Lemon Coconut – Bright lemon and toasted coconut blend with creamy almond butter and hearty oats for a fresh, citrus bar that feels light but still satisfies.

Oatmeal Cranberry Almond – Hearty oats, tart cranberries, and crunchy almonds come together in a chewy bar that feels like breakfast you can take with you.