The Ministry of Science and Technology of Korea (MSS) officially announced the launch of COMEUP 2025 on December 20 at the Media Day event held at the Global Startup Center (GSC), TIPSTOWN (Seoul).
The Global Startup Festival - considered an annual "meeting place" for the innovation community - will take place from December 10-12, 2025 at COEX, Seoul, bringing together startups, investors and large enterprises from many countries.
Launched in 2019, COMEUP quickly became an event with a strong mark in the region. In 2024 alone, the program recorded impressive growth with more than 150 foreign startups from 45 countries, affirming its position as an international connection platform for technology startups.
Three main pillars: Technology - Global - Entrepreneurial spirit
The 2025 edition carries the slogan "Recode the Future" - a message emphasizing the role of technology and innovation in redefining the future. Over three days, the event will deploy a series of diverse activities such as workshops, exhibitions, IR (fundraising), and open innovation connections revolving around three key topics: Tech, Global, Entrepreneurship.
COMEUP 2025 also attracted attention with the presence of prominent international speakers such as Tareq Amin , CEO of HUMAIN – a Saudi Arabian state-owned AI company, and Park Sunghyun , CEO of Rebellions.
Strengthening investment connections, large enterprises participate simultaneously
The first highlight of this year is the enhancement of practical connection programs with global investors. A series of international VC funds, CVCs and accelerators will be present, expanding the opportunity for direct meetings between startups and investors through 1:1 meetup sessions, investment booths and potential business presentations.
In addition, 35 corporations inside and outside Korea, including Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai Motor, NVIDIA, and NHN, will participate in the Open Innovation program, introduce cooperation models, and organize one-on-one connections with startups in many fields.
Expanding internationally, adding more countries for the first time
Following the success of four national pavilions in 2024, COMEUP 2025 recorded a strong increase with seven countries setting up their own pavilions, including Saudi Arabia, India, Japan, Canada
Notably, Australia, Angola and Sierra Leone are attending for the first time, bringing startups that are expected to be present throughout the exhibition, IR, conference and networking activities.
For the first time, there will be a session dedicated to startups creating social impact.
2025 marks the appearance of a special session for Social Venture startups - a group of businesses pursuing social and sustainable values.
Speakers, including 60Hertz CEO Kim Jongkyu, will share their journeys of applying technology to solve social challenges, from the climate crisis to community development.
Impact investors such as SoPoong Ventures and Impact Foundation also opened booths to directly consult with businesses in the same field.
Focus on the public and students
COMEUP 2025 dedicates more space to community-oriented activities, especially for young people who love innovation. The COMEUP Docent Tour program helps visitors access the event under the guidance of experts; the COMEUP Flea Market area brings consumer products from B2C startups.
On the final day (December 12), eight startup teams from six universities in and outside Korea, including Seoul National University, will present their startup ideas and participate in an introductory course on entrepreneurship.
Multiple simultaneous activities increase appeal
On the sidelines of COMEUP, a series of major events will take place such as:
- OpenData X AI Challenge Opening Ceremony
- Challenge Final! K-Startup 2025 King of Kings, an inter-ministerial startup competition
- 2025 K-Startup Grand Challenge Demo Day, selecting the best foreign startup of the year
This series of activities is expected to provide a comprehensive picture of innovation in Korea and the region.
“COMEUP 2025 will be where the future is rewritten”
Minister Han Sung-sook emphasized:
“From life-changing deep-tech innovation to global expansion across industry and national boundaries, COMEUP 2025 will showcase the future that startups are reshaping. We look forward to hearing from and participating from the wider community.”
Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/recode-the-future-comeup-2025-khoi-dong-hua-hen-bung-no-he-sinh-thai-khoi-nghiep-toan-cau-cuoi-nam-nay-post1081500.vnp
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