KOTRA Supports Innovative Companies at European Startup Festival 'Slush'

Providing Customized Support for Events, Exhibitions, and Showcases

KOTRA announced that it will participate in SLUSH 2023, Europe's largest startup conference held in Helsinki, Finland, for two days starting from the 30th, in collaboration with the Gyeonggi-do Economic Science Promotion Agency, operating a Korean Pavilion to support domestic innovative companies.

SLUSH started in 2008 and has rapidly grown in scale and scope since 2011. The event is named after the "slush" condition in early Finnish winter when ice slightly freezes at night and melts during the day. KOTRA has been supporting domestic startups' participation in SLUSH since 2013.

This year, more than 13,000 participants including global investors, startups, and media representatives will attend. Over 200 participants from Korea, including venture capitalists (VCs), limited partners (LPs), support organizations, and startup representatives, are expected to join.

At the Korean Pavilion within SLUSH, startups in deep tech fields such as ▲Augmented Reality (AR)/Virtual Reality (VR) ▲Digital Healthcare ▲Smart Medical Devices ▲Visual Effects (VFX) for content will participate. During the exhibition, tailored support such as one-on-one matching with local VCs and buyers and showcases will be provided.

Prior to this, on the 28th, KOTRA held a 'K-Startup Demo Day' in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Finland and Helsinki KSC program operators (Vertical, accelerator). This event was attended by about 100 people including 15 domestic startups, local VCs, and government officials. Participating companies had opportunities for pitching and networking with local investors.

Erika Savolainen, CEO of SLUSH, said, "Interest in SLUSH is increasing among Asian startups, including those from Korea," and added, "We hope that more Korean startups will participate in the European startup ecosystem through SLUSH in the future."

Yoo Jung-yeol, President of KOTRA, stated, "Through this event, we plan to support our startups in acquiring the European market and seeking opportunities to collaborate with local companies."