The country's largest global startup event, COMEUP 2025, opened on the 10th at COEX in Seoul. This year, the programs were refined so participating startups can translate their participation into business results.
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) said it will hold COMEUP 2025 from today through the 12th. Launched in 2019, the event brings together domestic and overseas innovative startups, investors, and stakeholders from global corporations, large corporations, and mid-sized corporations to network in one place.
In its seventh year, COMEUP 2025 is themed "Recode the Future." With technology, global, and entrepreneurship as its main pillars, a variety of programs, including conferences and open innovation, will take place.
This year's COMEUP significantly strengthened its exhibition, investment, and global cooperation functions. A total of 275 startups from 46 countries will showcase their products and services. Seven countries, including Saudi Arabia and India, will set up national pavilions to introduce their ecosystems and continue exchanges.
In particular, the investment and business matching program was upgraded. Thirty-five institutions, including global venture capital (VC), corporate venture capital (CVC), and accelerators, will participate, and more than 2,000 matching sessions are scheduled. Another major change is separate booths for investors and large corporations, allowing free on-site networking.
Before the event opens, Minister Han Seong-sook of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups will meet with Tareq Amin, CEO of HUMAIN, an artificial intelligence (AI) corporation established by Saudi sovereign wealth funds (PIF), to discuss cooperation plans.
HUMAIN is a corporation established by Saudi sovereign wealth funds (PIF) to elevate Saudi Arabia into an AI hub nation. It is pushing large-scale investments in next-generation data centers, AI infrastructure, large language models, and cloud services. Seeking collaboration opportunities with Korea's AI Semiconductor and deep-tech startups, HUMAIN is also considering setting up a Korea office, "HUMAIN Korea."
For the keynote addresses, HUMAIN CEO Tareq Amin and Rebellions CEO Park Seong-hyeon will share insights on changes in the AI era and directions for startup innovation. HUMAIN CEO Tareq Amin will explain the indispensable importance of AI in creating a new future. Rebellions CEO Park Seong-hyeon will join as a keynote speaker for the second consecutive year to share a founder's journey in redefining innovation.
In addition, concurrent programs include the "Awards for Merit in Venture and Startup Promotion," a government commendation for contributors to activating ventures and startups, and the "Challenge! K-Startup 2025 Grand Finale," which selects the year's best foreign startup team.
Minister Han Seong-sook of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) said, "For innovation, it is important to create opportunities for diverse players in the startup ecosystem to communicate and network," adding, "I hope COMEUP 2025 becomes a catalyst for pooling wisdom and planting the seeds of cooperation."