COMEUP 2024 Draws 260 Global Startups from 45 Nations

Seoul, South Korea - COMEUP 2024 drew participants from 45 countries during its two-day event at COEX in Seoul on December 11-12, Korea Startup Forum reported on Friday.

The sixth annual event, themed "Innovation Beyond Borders," attracted approximately 260 startups, with international companies comprising more than half ofthe participants.

Saudi Aramco's Wa'ed Ventures investment manager Kamar Aftab and Rebellions CEO Sung-hyun Park delivered keynote speeches on cross-border innovation on the first day. 

In contrast, Innospace CEO Soojong Kim presented on space technology on the second day.

The UAE, India, Japan, and Sweden established national pavilions, with UAE's Minister of State for Entrepreneurship Alia Al Mazrouei addressing opportunities for UAE market entry.

Twenty-one countries participated in the "Global Community" program, where approximately 120 startups engaged in pitching sessions, exhibitions, and networking events over two days.

The event's business matching platform, "On the COMEUP," facilitated 1,900 business connections, doubling the previous year's figure.

Corporate participants included Microsoft, NVIDIA, Squeezebits, N.Light, Dassault Systemes, NCyS, Siemens, L'Oreal Korea, Hyundai Motor's Zero One, Musinsa Partners, Kyobo Life Insurance, CJ E&M, and LX Ventures.

Three companies—Tunimotion, Poscore, and Foretellmy Health—won the COMEUP Stars 2024 competition and secured spots at Vivatech 2025 in France.

The festival featured dedicated tracks for beginners, experts, and founders, with sessions covering space technology, AI semiconductors, generative AI, and autonomous driving.

Spain's digital human solution developer AiMA Beyond AI, the first recipient of the "Startup Korea Special Visa," showcased its technology at the event.

"COMEUP 2024 has become a truly global festival where startups and investors worldwide gather to break down innovation boundaries and discuss the future," said Han Sang-woo, chairman of Korea Startup Forum and advisory chairman of COMEUP 2024.