Korea Startup Forum (KSF) is calling for startups from all around the world to join COMEUP Stars at COMEUP 2022. COMEUP Stars are promising startups that are bound to lead the global startup ecosystem and are hand-picked annually by professional judges consisting of well-known VCs and founders.
Starting this year, KSF has stepped up as an official organizer of COMEUP to discover and incubate top-tier startups while bringing together the startup community to close the virtuous circle. In light of it, the Unicorn League has been newly set up to carry out a more efficient and advanced accelerating program.
30 Rookie League and 40 Rocket League companies will be selected from a pool of startups. Both leagues are looking for startups in new industries and tech fields. Any startup with less than $1M in total funding and those with total funding between $1M and $50M can apply to Rookie and Rocket league respectively.
COMEUP Stars finalists will pitch at “Startup Valley” (COMEUP 2022 main program) main stage at DDP, Seoul to promote their company and join business matching with global investors to seek their next funding round. Pre/post-event acceleration from startup experts and global networking opportunities are distinct benefits for the hand-picked COMEUP Stars.
Application is open from July 4 to 29. First round of screening will take place throughout the first two weeks of August and the 70 finalists will be announced in early September. Startups wishing to participate can apply at the official COME UP website comeup.org
Along with Rookie and Rocket League, 10 unicorn or soon-to-be unicorn companies will be recommended by the COMEUP Advisory Committee to join the Unicorn League. Together, they will be sharing their own experiences while discussing the future trends and issues in the startup ecosystem. On-site mentoring for Rookie startups are also scheduled to take place so they can stimulate growth and connection within the community. The Unicorn League will be announced in early September with the names of Rookie and Rocket League startups.
COMEUP 2022’s Executive Chairman and KSF’s Managing Director Sungjin Choi said “COMEUP 2022 is not just about probing and incubating new startups. It’s about spreading the move-forward and pay-it-forward culture of the startup scene.” He added “Hopefully, many brilliant entrepreneurs with innovative business models and potential will apply and show the world how they can move the world.”
COMEUP was rebranded in 2019 and has been acknowledged as Korea’s biggest startup festival ever since. It has drawn the attention of the global startup community with more than 130k visitors, 2,700 investors, and 280 speakers. The main event will take place at DDP Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Seoul from November 9 to 11 on an on-and-offline basis. With KSF’s expertise at its back, COMEUP 2022 will provide an in-depth overview of the startup ecosystem.
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