Startup Festival 'ComeUp' Attracts Record Number of Companies... 1,208 Firms from 46 Countries Applied

ComeUp Stars Recruitment Hits Record High
Runners League Competition Ratio 13:1... Rookies 9.5:1
Final Selection of 140 Companies Announced on August 2

The global startup festival 'ComeUp' has attracted the highest number of companies ever. Korea Startup Forum, the organizer of ComeUp, announced on the 8th that 1,208 startups from 46 countries worldwide applied to participate in 'ComeUp Stars 2024.'

The Rookie League, which recruited 100 early-stage startups, received applications from 949 companies, recording a competition rate of 9.5 to 1. The Runners League, which recruited 20 companies targeting the general public interested in entrepreneurship, attracted 259 companies, marking the highest competition rate of 13 to 1 among all leagues to date.

Among all applicants, 1,019 companies were domestic, accounting for 84.4%, while 189 companies, or 15.6%, were from overseas. Applications were received from 46 countries worldwide, including the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Egypt. By industry sector, healthcare and bio led with 146 companies, followed by software, deep tech, and lifestyle sectors.

KOSPO will announce the final selection of 120 companies on the 2nd of next month after evaluating the applicants. On the same day, 20 companies selected for the Rocket League, chosen based on recommendations from the ComeUp Advisory Committee and ComeUp House, will also be revealed.

Subsequently, customized acceleration programs for companies will be provided, and through preliminary rounds in September, 30 teams from the Rookie League and 10 teams from the Runners League will be selected to advance to the finals. The selected teams will compete on the final stage aiming for victory at ComeUp 2024, held in December. ComeUp 2024 will take place on December 11 and 12 at COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul.

Han Sang-woo, chairman of KOSPO, said, "We were able to confirm the passion for entrepreneurship amid the interest and support of many entrepreneurs pursuing innovation and challenge," adding, "We will do our best to ensure that prospective startup teams and early-stage startups can fully demonstrate their innovative capabilities and ideas at ComeUp."