COMEUP 2024: South Korea’s Largest Startup Festival Expands with a Global Vision

South Korea’s premier global startup festival, COMEUP 2024, will take place at COEX in Seoul from December 11 to 12, marking a significant leap in scale and ambition. Hosted by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, this flagship event will showcase the vibrancy of Korea’s startup ecosystem while fostering invaluable global networking opportunities. With participation from around 40 countries, the event is set to bring together innovative startups, investors, and thought leaders under one roof.

A Platform for Global Exchange

Since its inception in 2019, COMEUP has served as a platform to introduce Korea’s dynamic startup ecosystem to the global stage, facilitating exchange among stakeholders in the international startup and venture ecosystem. Now in its 6th year, COMEUP 2024 aims to further expand its global footprint. This year, the event expects participation from 150 startups and investors representing regions such as the UAE, Japan, Uganda, and Colombia. National pavilions will be hosted by India, Japan, and the UAE, while countries like Uganda and Colombia will operate dedicated exhibition halls.

A major milestone for COMEUP 2024 is its relocation from Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) to COEX, which offers more than double the space, underscoring its growth into a truly global startup festival.

Innovation Beyond Borders

Under the theme “Innovation Beyond Borders”, COMEUP 2024 highlights the pivotal role startups play in driving innovation across national and technological boundaries. Key program tracks include deep tech, inbound opportunities, and SIS (Sustainable Innovation by Startups). The event will feature a mix of conferences, pitching sessions, and exhibitions designed to spark collaboration and innovation.

To support international startups, enhanced inbound programs will provide critical resources such as startup policy briefings, visa issuance guidance, and settlement support in Korea. Additionally, the K-Startup Grand Challenge Demo Day will offer foreign entrepreneurs the chance to compete for a $400,000 prize pool.

Global Collaboration and Impactful Initiatives

Expanding its focus on deep tech and climate innovation, special sessions at the SIS Conference will explore themes like voluntary carbon markets, climate tech startups, and open innovation collaborations between startups and large corporations. These initiatives reflect Korea’s growing commitment to addressing global challenges through innovative solutions.

To further strengthen investor engagement, the K-Global Venture Capital Summit 2024 will run from December 10 to 12 at the SKY31 Convention, featuring 130 venture capitalists and startups in a series of pitching and networking programs.

The organizing committee for COMEUP 2024 is actively working to enhance the event’s global reach. James Jung, from beSUCCESS Media Group, plays a pivotal role on the COMEUP organizing committee, focusing on global outreach and PR initiatives.

Building Korea as Asia’s Startup Hub

Minister of SMEs and Startups, Oh Young-joo, emphasized the event’s growing significance, stating, “COMEUP has evolved into a truly global startup festival. This year’s larger venue at COEX and expanded participation from countries like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and international organizations such as the ITC and African Development Bank, signify its global stature.”

Minister Oh also outlined Korea’s ambitious goals to foster 1,000 deep-tech startups by 2027, create a deep-tech town near Hongdae, and launch a KRW 1.2 trillion global fund to position the country as Asia’s leading startup hub.

She concluded, “COMEUP 2024 will showcase transformative innovations from startups worldwide, reinforcing its status as a premier startup festival for Asia and the world.”

COMEUP has steadily grown to become a key platform for innovation and global collaboration, reflecting South Korea’s dedication to nurturing a thriving startup ecosystem. This year’s focus on global partnerships, deep-tech innovation, and climate solutions solidifies its mission to unite startups, investors, and governments in shaping the future of innovation.