Asia’s Premier Global Startup Extravaganza, COMEUP 2023, Set to Ignite Seoul with Record International Participation from Nov 8 to 10

The South Korea Ministry of SMEs and Startups, in collaboration with the Korea Startup Forum, is set to host the highly anticipated “COMEUP 2023,” set to take place from November 8 to 10 at the renowned Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in Seoul. Marking its 5th anniversary, COMEUP 2023 is gearing up to become a grand global startup festival, surpassing previous editions in terms of scale and significance. With an impressive 60% of startups hailing from outside South Korea, COMEUP 2023, embraces its 2023 theme, “We Move the World,” underlining its commitment to continuous innovation and nurturing the global startup ecosystem.

A Convergence of Innovation Across Asia and Beyond

Since its inception in 2019, COMEUP has evolved into a global startup event that bridges South Korea’s flourishing startup ecosystem with a worldwide audience. This year’s edition will bring together innovative startups, forward-thinking investors, and entrepreneurial leaders from 29 countries, signifying a substantial increase in participation compared to previous years.

The rising international interest can be attributed to successful collaborations between the Korean government and overseas partners, resulting in a notable increase in event attendance over the years:

• 2019: 21,102 attendees
• 2020: 59,054 attendees
• 2021: 50,291 attendees
• 2022: 57,560 attendees

COMEUP 2023 extends its reach to 29 countries, compared to the 20 participating countries in 2022, solidifying its position as Asia’s leading global startup festival.

Pioneering a Path to a Global Startup Hub

Minister LEE Young of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups emphasizes, “The world has entered the ‘digital era of exploration,’ where competition knows no borders. In this new era, the role of startups, with their flexibility, speed, and digital technology, is paramount.” COMEUP 2023 is all set to facilitate interactions between Korean startups and the global community, promoting international engagement at the heart of Asia.

What Awaits You at COMEUP 2023?

• International Collaboration: Exclusive Global Community Zone 

The standout feature of COMEUP 2023 is the creation of a dedicated “Global Community Zone.” This vibrant zone is the result of COMEUP’s proactive engagement with global startup communities and recent government visits to startup-friendly countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The Global Community Zone will bring together delegates from around the world, including the United States, France, Germany, Switzerland, Indonesia, Cambodia, Senegal, Uganda, and more.

This dynamic zone will feature IR pitches for investment attraction, conducted on a dedicated stage, and thought-provoking conferences. In addition, COMEUP has introduced an online business matching program, operational year-round, to broaden investment and collaboration opportunities crucial for startup growth.

• Global CVC Conference – Unlocking Pathways to Investment

For the first time in 2023, COMEUP will host a “Global CVC Conference,” with participation from over 160 venture capitalists (VCs). This groundbreaking event, a collaboration between British media company GCV and the Korea Venture Capital Association, will be held on November 9-10. The Global CVC Conference aims to facilitate significant investments and international market entry for startups.

• Nurturing Innovation: Meet the COMEUP Stars

COMEUP 2023 continues its pioneering “COMEUP Stars” initiative, dedicated to discovering and nurturing innovative startups with the potential to become the next unicorns in the world of entrepreneurship. This program provides a unique platform for mentorship, networking, and investment opportunities for early-stage startups from South Korea and beyond.

The COMEUP Stars program for this year involves 13 top Korean and foreign VCs and accelerators closely collaborating with 10 promising startups each. The goal is to identify and nurture startups at various stages of development, providing intensive mentoring and pre-matching with investors.

• Open Innovation Day: Celebrating 20 Years of Collaboration

In honor of the 20th anniversary of the Open Innovation Concept, COMEUP 2023 designates the second day of the event (November 9) as “Open Innovation Day.” This day will showcase successful cases of collaboration between large, medium-sized, and startup companies, including global giants like NVIDIA, Dassault Systèmes, Hyundai Motor Company, BMW, and Naver Cloud.

The program will delve into various aspects of open innovation through panel talks, sharing practical insights, and presenting tangible evidence of how innovative partnerships can drive value and growth.

• Inspiration from Prominent Voices at COMEUP 2023

COMEUP 2023 promises captivating conference sessions featuring renowned personalities from the world of startups and entrepreneurship. The event will bring together musicians, industry leaders, and government representatives to share valuable insights and inspire startups and entrepreneurs.

The conference features multiple sessions addressing vital topics relevant to the startup lifecycle, offering a rich source of knowledge and practical advice for both aspiring and established entrepreneurs.

Keynote speaker Zior Park, a musician and influential figure, and Mahdi Shariff, founder of Humble, will share their stories and insights, providing invaluable lessons and motivation for attendees. Foreign panels and speakers will contribute a global perspective on startups, with the UAE Minister of Economy and the Saudi Arabian Minister of SMEs and Startups actively participating, offering unique insights into the Middle East’s entrepreneurial landscape.

Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of an extraordinary global startup festival! Join us at COMEUP 2023 from November 8 to 10 in Seoul.

For more information and registration, please visit the official website: [COMEUP 2023, Website]

For inquiries, please contact: Doyeon Kang at +82-2-6211-9400

Hosted/Organized/Cooperated by: Ministry of SMEs and Startups & Korea Startup Forum

Read About Earlier Editions of COMEUP,

• Korea’s biggest startup event COMEUP 2022 calling for promising startups to be ‘COMEUP Stars’
• Korea’s leading global startup program COMEUP 2021 invites applications for its COMEUP Stars league
  COMEUP 2020 – South Korea’s Largest Startup Event Invites Startups For Virtual Pitches
• COMEUP 2020- Day 1: An Eventful And Insightful Day