COMEUP 2025 Seoul: 3,447 Business Matches, 46 Countries

SEOUL, South Korea — The COMEUP 2025 startup festival generated 3,447 investment and business matches over three days ending Dec. 12, drawing participants from 46 countries, the Korea Startup Forum said Monday.

The event ran Dec. 10-12 at the COEX convention center.

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups hosted, with the Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development managing operations. 

Three industry associations co-organized: the Korea Startup Forum, Korea Venture Business Association, and Korea Venture Capital Association.

The matches occurred through online platforms, pre-scheduled meetings, and investor booth consultations, according to organizers. 

Programming included exhibitions, conferences, investor presentations, and open innovation sessions centered on deep technology, international business, and entrepreneurship.

Seven countries operated pavilions: Saudi Arabia, India, Japan, Canada, and three others not specified by the organizers. Australia and Sierra Leone attended for the first time.

Tarek Amin, chief executive of the Saudi state-owned AI firm HUMAIN, and Park Sung-hyun, chief executive of the Korean AI chipmaker Rebellions, spoke at the opening session. HUMAIN said it would establish a Korean entity and work with Korean AI companies.

Thirty-five corporations participated in open innovation activities, including Hyundai Engineering & Construction, NVIDIA, and NHN Cloud. Activities consisted of booth displays, case presentations, and meetings.

A new program called Future Founder featured student presentations and mentoring sessions. 

Other activities included sessions on climate technology, startup competitions, and a pitch event for companies seeking entry into the United States, European, Chinese, and Japanese markets.

Han Sang-woo, chairman of the Korea Startup Forum, said the event provided a venue for entrepreneurs, companies, and investors to meet. 

He said the organization would continue supporting startups in international markets.