K-Startups Meet Chinese Investors, Expand Global Reach Through COMEUP

[Financial News] Korean startups are expanding their connections with China’s innovation ecosystem by meeting local investors and companies to explore business opportunities. Ahead of the Global Startup Festival COMEUP 2026, scheduled for December, efforts to increase exchanges between Korean and Chinese startups are also gaining momentum.
 According to industry sources on the 29th, Korea Startup Forum (Kospo) conducted an exchange program between Korean startups and local Chinese investors and companies in conjunction with S-Tron Shanghai 2026, held in Shanghai from the 21st to 23rd.
 This year’s S-Tron Shanghai featured around 200 global speakers and approximately 120 startups. The event included conferences, pitching sessions and showcases, exhibitions, and business networking programs focused on future industries such as artificial intelligence (AI), future intelligence, biotechnology, and healthcare.
 In particular, three Korean startups participating in COMEUP Stars, COMEUP’s innovation startup program—Beyond Medicine, FORETELLMYHEALTH, and Rainbow Pintos Media—met directly with local investors and companies.
 The companies pitched their business models and technologies on the official S-Tron stage. They also operated individual booths during the event, exploring potential business partnerships with Chinese investors, companies, startups, and other participants in the ecosystem.
 Kospo plans to build on this Shanghai exchange by connecting it to Global Startup Festival COMEUP 2026, which will be held from December 9 to 11, rather than treating it as a one-off event. The organization aims to encourage Chinese startups, investors, and other ecosystem stakeholders to participate in COMEUP and expand opportunities for follow-up exchanges with Korean startups.
 At the S-Tron pre-event, Kospo also introduced COMEUP 2026 and Korea’s startup ecosystem to Chinese startups, investors, and company representatives. The official program featured discussions on Korean startups’ innovation and ways to pursue global cooperation under the theme “From K-Culture to K-Innovation: A Global Ecosystem Creating New Consumer Experiences.”
 Choi Ji-young, head of Kospo, said, "Through this program, we not only introduced COMEUP and Korea’s startup ecosystem to the Chinese market, but also created opportunities for Korean startups to meet directly with the local market." Choi added, "We will continue to expand connections among global startup ecosystems."
[email protected] Lee Ju-mi Reporter