At COMEUP 2024, hosted by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Government of South Korea, Indian startups participated at the India Pavilion, supported by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and Startup India. The event organised by Korea Startup Forum, was held under the theme “Innovation Beyond Borders,” and attracted over 20,000 attendees, 260+ startups, and 300+ investors from across the world.
The delegation also engaged in targeted B2B meetings with leading venture capitalists (VCs), corporate venture capitalists (CVCs), top corporations, accelerators, and leading universities unlocking opportunities for strategic partnerships, investments, and market expansion. Startups further explored South Korea’s innovation-driven economy through curated ecosystem tours and direct exposure to government initiatives through visits to Global Startup Centre, K-Startup Grand Challenge, Korea Social Innovation Fund, Indo-Korea Chamber of Commerce amongst others. These sessions highlighted policies, grants, and programs designed to support international businesses entering the market.
Nemesisa Ujjain, VP & Head of The Circle FC, said in a statement, “With South Korea emerging as a natural entry point for Indian startups into the broader Asia-Pacific region, KMIP provided them an opportunity to expand horizons, access global investors, and establish strong connections with the Korean ecosystem.”
The Circle FC is already planning its next cohort, aiming to bring more Indian startups to international markets like Taiwan, Japan, and beyond in 2025.