The Korea Venture Business Federation is accepting applications from venture companies and startups through Nov. 13 to participate in the Open Innovation Meetup, a business matching program at the global venture and startup festival COMEUP 2026. Pictured is the opening ceremony of COMEUP 2025. [Ministry of SMEs and Startups]
The Korea Venture Business Federation is accepting applications from venture companies and startups through Nov. 13 to participate in the Open Innovation Meetup, a business matching program at the global venture and startup festival COMEUP 2026. Pictured is the opening ceremony of COMEUP 2025. [Ministry of SMEs and Startups]

Over 40 large and mid-sized firms to join COMEUP 2026 OI Meetup

Companies matched by collaboration needs in AI, robotics, healthcare

Matching results announced Dec. 4; one-on-one meetings held at COEX

The Korea Venture Business Federation announced Tuesday it is accepting applications from venture companies and startups through Nov. 13 to participate in the Open Innovation Meetup, a business matching program at the global venture and startup festival COMEUP 2026.

The OI Meetup connects domestic and international large and mid-sized companies with venture companies and startups to explore opportunities for proof-of-concept testing, business collaboration and overseas expansion. Participating startups are selected based on the collaboration needs of the larger companies, and matched firms will hold one-on-one business meetings at the event.

This year, more than 40 large and mid-sized companies from South Korea and abroad will take part, including LG Electronics and Kimberly-Clark. Key areas of collaboration include AI, robotics, mobility, fintech, smart construction, advanced materials and healthcare. Participating companies can discuss potential business partnerships based on their technologies and solutions.

Applications are accepted through the official COMEUP website. Applicants must register a matching profile, select the OI Meetup program and the companies they wish to collaborate with, and submit a detailed matching application. Matching results will be announced individually on Dec. 4.

"We will carefully connect the collaboration needs of large and mid-sized companies with the technological capabilities of venture companies and startups, so that these meetings go beyond one-time encounters and lead to tangible outcomes such as technology validation and joint business ventures," a federation official said.

COMEUP 2026 will be held at Hall C of COEX in Seoul from Dec. 9 to 11. The Ministry of SMEs and Startups is hosting the event, with the Korea Institute of Startup and Entrepreneurship Development overseeing operations and the Korea Venture Business Federation, Korea Startup Forum and Korea Venture Capital Association serving as co-organizers. The festival will also feature a startup conference called Future Talk, a university student entrepreneurship pitching program called Future Founder, exhibitions and global networking events.

The Korea Venture Business Federation is accepting applications from venture companies and startups through Nov. 13 to participate in the Open Innovation Meetup, a business matching program at the global venture and startup festival COMEUP 2026. [Korea Venture Business Federation]
The Korea Venture Business Federation is accepting applications from venture companies and startups through Nov. 13 to participate in the Open Innovation Meetup, a business matching program at the global venture and startup festival COMEUP 2026. [Korea Venture Business Federation]

hong@heraldcorp.com