Seoul is gearing up to host one of the world’s fastest-rising innovation gatherings as COMEUP 2025 officially kicks off its countdown. Announced during Media Day at Seoul’s Global Startup Center, the three-day festival will return to COEX from December 10–12 with a mission reflected in this year’s theme: “Recode the Future.”
Since its launch in 2019, COMEUP has evolved from a local initiative into a globally recognized platform where founders, investors, and enterprise leaders converge to define what’s next in technology and entrepreneurship. Last year’s event set a new benchmark with more than 150 startups from 45 countries—momentum organizers expect to exceed in 2025.
A Global Stage for Innovation
COMEUP 2025 will organize its programming around three pillars—Tech, Global, and Entrepreneurship—bringing together an eclectic mix of conferences, exhibitions, investor relations (IR) sessions, and open-innovation opportunities. This year’s speaker lineup includes high-profile names such as Tareq Amin, CEO of Saudi Arabia’s government-backed AI firm HUMAIN, and Park Sunghyun, CEO of Korean AI chipmaker Rebellions.
But the heart of COMEUP has always been practical collaboration, and this year’s event leans heavily into that mission.
Driving Real Investment and Corporate Partnerships
One of the central goals for 2025 is to accelerate meaningful investment into high-potential startups. Global venture capital firms, corporate venture arms, and accelerators from around the world are expected to attend, giving founders access to both funding and strategic partnership pathways.
The event’s expanded investor-matching system—including structured 1:1 meetings, investor booths, and pre-matched sessions—aims to make dealmaking more efficient than ever.
Major corporations will also take center stage. Thirty-five global and Korean enterprise leaders—including Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai Motor Company, NVIDIA, and NHN—will participate in the Open Innovation program, showcasing collaboration cases and meeting with startups seeking enterprise-scale growth.
A More International COMEUP Than Ever
International participation continues to grow as COMEUP strengthens its global footprint. Seven countries—among them Saudi Arabia, India, Japan, and Canada—will operate national pavilions in 2025, up from four last year. Australia, Angola, and Sierra Leone will make their debut, bringing fresh entrepreneurial perspectives and expanding the event’s geographic diversity.
Spotlight on Social Venture Innovation
Reflecting a broader shift in startup values, COMEUP 2025 is introducing a dedicated session for Social Venture founders developing solutions to climate challenges, social inequality, and other global issues. Leaders such as 60Hertz CEO Kim Jongkyu will share their missions and impact strategies. Impact-driven investors—including SoPoong Ventures and Impact Foundation—will also be on-site to offer guidance and explore new partnerships.
Engaging the Next Generation of Innovators
COMEUP isn’t just for entrepreneurs and investors—it’s designed to welcome the wider public as well. This year, organizers are expanding programs for students, early-career innovators, and curious attendees.
Highlights include:
- COMEUP Docent Tours guided by startup experts
- A Flea Market featuring consumer-ready products from emerging B2C startups
- A university startup showcase where teams from Seoul National University and other top global institutions will present early-stage ideas and attend entrepreneurship seminars
A Festival of Concurrent Events
Complementing the main program, a slate of high-profile competitions and showcases will run throughout the venue, including:
- The opening ceremony for the OpenData X AI Challenge, spotlighting AI-driven innovation
- The Challenge! K-Startup 2025 King of Kings Final, spanning 10 government ministries
- The K-Startup Grand Challenge 2025 Demo Day, where international founders compete for top honors
Together, these events reinforce COMEUP’s identity as one of Asia’s most comprehensive startup festivals.
A Call to the Global Startup Community
“From deep-tech innovation that leads everyday change to global expansion that crosses boundaries, COMEUP 2025 will showcase the future that startups are rewriting,” said Han Sung-sook, South Korea’s Minister of SMEs and Startups. “We invite everyone interested in entrepreneurship and innovation to be part of the experience.”
COMEUP 2025 is open to all attendees, with pre-registration available through December 8 at the official website.
