Korea Venture Business Association Recruits Venture Companies, Startups for 'COMEUP 2026' Open Innovation Meetup

Around 40 large and mid-sized companies, including LG Electronics and Kimberly-Clark, to participate
Precision matching with startups based on collaboration needs, followed by one-on-one meetings at COMEUP

The Korea Venture Business Association said on November 3 that it is recruiting venture companies and startups to participate in the Open Innovation (OI) Meetup, a business-matching program at COMEUP 2026, a global venture and startup festival taking place next month.

How to Apply for Precision Matching at the COMEUP 2026 Open Innovation Meetup. Korea Venture Business Association

The OI Meetup connects large and mid-sized companies in Korea and abroad with venture companies and startups to identify new business opportunities, including proof-of-concept (PoC) projects, business partnerships, and overseas expansion.

The program uses precision matching to select venture companies and startups that fit participating companies' collaboration needs. Once matches are confirmed, one-on-one business meetings will be held at COMEUP. This year's OI Meetup will include around 40 large and mid-sized companies from Korea and abroad, including LG Electronics and Kimberly-Clark.

Key areas for collaboration include AI and robotics, mobility, fintech, smart construction, advanced materials, and healthcare. Participants can discuss potential business opportunities with each company based on the technologies and solutions they offer.

"This year's OI Meetup will include global companies as well as large and mid-sized companies in Korea, and we expect venture companies and startups to explore a broader range of business partnership opportunities," a Korea Venture Business Association representative said. "We will connect the collaboration needs of large and mid-sized companies with the technological capabilities of venture companies and startups, helping turn one-off meetings into tangible results, such as technology validation and joint projects."

Venture companies and startups interested in participating can register a matching profile on the official COMEUP website, select the OI Meetup program, designate the companies they hope to collaborate with, and submit an application for precision matching. Applications are due by November 13, and applicants will be notified individually of the matching results on December 4. More information is available on the website.

COMEUP 2026 will be held at COEX Hall C in Seoul from December 9 to 11 under the slogan "Unleash the Unseen." It is hosted by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and overseen by the Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development, with the Korea Venture Business Association, Korea Startup Forum, and Korea Venture Capital Association serving as co-organizers. The event will feature business matching, exhibitions, and global networking events, including the startup conference Future Talk and Future Founder, a pitching program for university student entrepreneurs.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.