'COMEUP STARS 2025' Selects 20 Startups to Launch onto the Global Stage

Five Startups Selected from the US, Japan, China, and Europe
Focusing on Strengthening Global Expansion Capabilities

The Korea Startup Forum, the organizing institution of the global startup festival 'COMEUP,' announced on September 18 that it has selected the final 20 companies for 'COMEUP STARS 2025.'

COMEUP STARS is a flagship program of COMEUP dedicated to discovering and supporting innovative startups. This year, the program was completely revamped to focus on supporting overseas expansion. The Korea Startup Forum selected five startups each from four regions: the United States, Japan, China, and Europe. A total of 559 companies applied, resulting in a record-high competition rate of 27.9 to 1.

The five companies selected for entry into the United States are Rebotics, Refundy, Minimap, Molder, and Generait. These companies, recognized for their global growth potential across industries such as robotics, commerce, proptech, and lifestyle, will receive tailored acceleration support from Penventures to strengthen their development of localized products and rapid market entry strategies targeting North America.

The five companies set to challenge the Japanese market are RealDraw, Locally, BeMyFriends, Indent Corporation, and Omnious. These startups possess specialized products and service capabilities for the Japanese market in fields such as AI, software, entertainment, and leisure. They will receive mentoring support from Shinhan Futures Lab Japan.

The five companies advancing into the Chinese market are GroovyX, Lilycover, Bitnal Dental Studio, Alphes, and Walada. These companies have developed market-specific strategies and local networks in promising innovative sectors such as beauty, fashion, ESG, and healthcare. Specialized mentoring for China expansion will be conducted in collaboration with E-Land China EIV.

The opportunity to enter the European market was given to Softionics, Emotive, Oomtle, Wellmetics, and Kalman. These five companies have been recognized for their innovation and global competitiveness in technologies such as AI, healthcare, and robotics. To support their European expansion and local network building, they will receive on-the-ground support including tailored mentoring, investor matching, and local office space in partnership with Start2 Group.

The startups selected for COMEUP STARS will participate in region-specific tailored acceleration programs through local partner houses. Subsequently, at the main COMEUP 2025 event to be held from December 10 to 12, they will accelerate their overseas expansion through IR pitching to global investors, country-specific houses, and networking with investment firms. Han Sangwoo, Chairman of the Korea Startup Forum, stated, "This year's COMEUP STARS program is designed to help domestic startups secure new growth engines in overseas markets. We hope that the selected companies will strengthen their global competitiveness through regional acceleration and the main event, and that this will serve as an opportunity to elevate the international standing of Korea's startup ecosystem."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.