S.Korea's COMEUP to Back 20 Startups for Global Markets

Seoul, South Korea - The Korea Startup Forum announced on Monday that it is opening applications for a revamped program, selecting 20 South Korean startups for dedicated support to enter markets in the United States, Japan, China, and Europe.

The "COMEUP Stars 2025" initiative has shifted its focus from a startup's prior investment funding to its "practical global expansion capabilities," the forum said in a press release. The application period runs from July 21 to Aug. 22.

The program will select five companies for each of the four targeted regions. Each region will be managed by a partner firm tasked with providing market-entry support: Pen Ventures for the U.S., Shinhan Future's Lab Japan for Japan, Eland China EIV for China, and Start2 Group for Europe.

According to the statement, these partners will offer services including localization consulting, proof-of-concept (PoC) opportunities, and connections with local investors and business partners.

The final 20 companies will be announced on Sept. 17, following a review and interview process. Selected firms will then attend a workshop in Busan on Sept. 22-23 before beginning a two-month acceleration program in October and November.

Benefits for the chosen startups include an investor relations pitch and an exhibition booth at the main COMEUP 2025 conference, an invitation to a 2026 overseas business trip, and public relations support.

Han Sang-woo, Chairman of the Korea Startup Forum, described this year's COMEUP Stars as a program designed to assess startups' abilities to expand internationally, rather than focusing solely on exchanges.

The main COMEUP 2025 conference is scheduled for December 10-12 at the COEX Convention Center in Seoul.