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COMEUP 2026
Global Startup Festival | Dec 9(Tue) – 11(Fri), 2026 | COEX Hall C, Seoul |
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Dear Sir/Madam, this is the COMEUP Secretariat, Korea Venture Business Association (KOVA).
KOVA is preparing COMEUP 2026 to strengthen Korea's venture ecosystem through Open Innovation 1:1 meet-ups between outstanding domestic startups and large/mid-sized companies, driving both corporate innovation and startup growth. We cordially invite your company's active participation in this meaningful program.
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COMEUP is hosted by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and organized by KISED, jointly operated by three organizations: Korea Venture Business Association (KOVA), Korea Startup Forum, and the Korea Venture Capital Association (KVCA).
Held December 9(Tue)–11(Fri), 2026 at COEX Seoul, it is Korea's largest global startup festival, targeting 60 countries and roughly 22,000 participants. KOVA runs the Open Innovation (OI) 1:1 Meet-up as its core program connecting large/mid-sized companies with innovative startups. |
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Program
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🤝 1:1 OI Meet-up
We pre-match startups tailored to your company's areas of interest,
and host 1:1 business consultations in a dedicated space at the COMEUP 2026 venue. |
What your company can gain by joining the OI 1:1 Meet-up
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Discover new business & technology collaborations
Review pre-vetted, outstanding startups' technologies and services first-hand, and identify collaboration or investment targets that fit your business early on. |
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Efficient sourcing through demand-based matching
Meet only with startups pre-selected based on your stated areas of interest, saving significant time and cost in sourcing. |
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Boost your open innovation track record & public image
Participation in Korea's largest startup event, hosted by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and KISED, can support your company's open innovation / shared-growth performance metrics and external PR. Building a direct touchpoint with MSS — COMEUP's host and funding ministry — can also help raise your company's, or your home country's, standing in Korea, and can open the door to future government-backed collaboration programs. |
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Accommodation & interpretation support
We provide actual-cost accommodation support (up to 2 nights, up to 450 US Dollas) for the representative of participating large/mid-sized companies attending the 1:1 meet-up, along with interpretation/translation support for smooth meetings.
* If on-site attendance is difficult, online meet-ups via Zoom are available upon request. |
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1:1 OI Meet-up Schedule
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~9.4 |
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Application deadline for companies
Rolling admission; please reply by Sep 4 (Fri) via email |
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Oct–Nov |
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Startup recruitment
Startup screening and matching based on your areas of interest (2 weeks, Oct–Nov) |
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Late Nov |
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Pre-matching
Matching list shared in advance and meeting schedules coordinated (weeks 3–4 of Nov) |
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Dec Event |
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On-site 1:1 consultations
Dedicated space operated at the COMEUP 2026 venue (Dec 10–11, planned) |
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📋 Letter of Intent (Attached)
If you wish to join the 1:1 OI Meet-up, please complete and return the attached form.
🤝 1:1 OI Meet-up Letter of Intent (Free)
Please indicate your areas of interest, contact details, and preferred matching conditions.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Please email the completed form to sblee@kova.or.kr, and we will confirm and follow up.
For priority placement, please reply by Friday, September 4, 2026. |
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| 📎 For booth participation, conference programs, and corporate PR, please refer to the attached materials or contact us separately. |
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To apply, please complete and return the attached Letter of Intent.
We look forward to your company's participation in making this an even richer forum for innovation. Thank you.
KOVA COMEUP Secretariat Sangbae Lee, Assistant Manager
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COMEUP 2026
Dec. 9–11, 2026 | Hall C, COEX, Seoul
Host: Ministry of SMEs and Startups · KISED
Organized by: Korea Startup Forum · KOVA · KVCA
If you wish to unsubscribe, please reply to this email. |
