559 Startups Apply
Program Revamped to Focus on Outbound Support
Final 20 Companies to Be Announced on September 17
The Korea Startup Forum, the organizing body of the global startup festival 'COMEUP,' announced on the 25th that a total of 559 startups applied to participate in 'COMEUP STARS 2025,' setting a record-high competition rate of 27.9 to 1.
According to the Korea Startup Forum, this year's competition rate for COMEUP STARS demonstrates that domestic startups are increasingly viewing the global market as their main stage for growth. COMEUP STARS, the flagship program for discovering and supporting innovative startups at COMEUP, has been completely revamped this year. The previous investment-based league divisions have been abolished, and the program has shifted to focus entirely on outbound support for overseas expansion.
In particular, the program's clear objective of "overseas market entry" and its action-oriented structure have been praised as especially appealing to companies seeking tangible growth. By region, 44% of applicants targeted the United States, 34% Japan, and 11% each China and Europe, indicating that domestic startups are primarily eyeing North America and Asia as their main markets for expansion. This is interpreted as a strategic decision based on a comprehensive assessment of each market's technological receptivity, size, and potential for post-entry growth.
The preferred mentoring areas chosen by all applicants also reflected strong demand for outbound support, with 77.6% selecting product localization strategy and 75.5% choosing local market analysis strategy. By industry, artificial intelligence (AI) accounted for the largest share with 102 companies (18.2%), followed by healthcare and bio, software, energy and sustainability, beauty and fashion, and media and entertainment.
The Korea Startup Forum plans to announce the final 20 selected startups on September 17, following document and interview screenings. The selected startups will be divided into four regions-United States, Japan, China, and Europe-with five companies assigned to each. In October and November, they will receive full-scale acceleration through regional partner houses. They will also participate in the main COMEUP event with IR pitching and exhibition booths, and receive a comprehensive support package including invitations to overseas business trips in 2026 and media promotion. Each partner house will offer region-specific support, such as linking with its own startup support programs, providing shared office space, and inviting startups to pitch competitions.
Han Sangwoo, Chairman of the Korea Startup Forum, stated, "This year's COMEUP STARS will be an innovative outbound program that enables domestic startups to leap into the global market," adding, "The revamp of COMEUP STARS will enhance the practical overseas expansion capabilities and competitiveness of domestic startups, and serve as an opportunity to expand global connections and cooperation throughout the startup ecosystem."
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