The Korea Startup Forum (KSF), the organization behind the global startup festival ‘COMEUP’, hosted ‘S-Tron Shanghai 2024‘ in Shanghai, China, from September 20th to 21st. During the event, KSF signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a global partnership.

S-Tron Shanghai is a Chinese startup event that originated from ‘Slush China,’ a spin-off of Finland’s renowned startup festival ‘Slush’, which has been held in China since 2015. Over the years, Slush China has successfully hosted more than 10 global conferences in major Chinese cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. In 2022, Slush China rebranded as ‘S创 (S-Tron)’, further contributing to the inspiration and growth of the startup and innovation ecosystem.

On September 20th, Jiyoung Choi, Secretary General of ComeUp and Director of KSF Global Growth Center, attended S-Tron Shanghai 2024 and signed an MOU with S-Tron CEO Sean Song. The agreement promises mutual support for both events this year.

Through this MOU, the two parties will exchange valuable networks and information on startups, investors, large corporations, and related organizations from both countries. They will also facilitate collaboration and entry into the Korea-China startup ecosystem. Following this event, KSF plans to strengthen ties by inviting top startups selected by S-Tron, as well as investors and organizations interested in business opportunities in Korea, to participate in ComeUp 2024 in December. Additionally, domestic startups will be introduced to key players in Shanghai’s startup scene, allowing them to explore business opportunities in the region.

Jiyoung Choi, Secretary General of ComeUp, remarked on the MOU: “Last year, ComeUp partnered with France’s Viva Technology, and this year we are expanding our global reach through our collaboration with S-Tron.” She continued, “Although there has been limited interaction until now, this marks a significant step in entering the Chinese startup ecosystem, which is a global leader in the industry. We are excited to lay the foundation for a long-term global partnership with Chinese startups, investors, and other key stakeholders.”

ComeUp 2024 will take place at COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on December 11th and 12th. This year’s focus is on increasing global startup participation and growing the overall startup ecosystem. Additionally, a variety of events will be held to promote entrepreneurial culture and foster a positive image, including product showcases, open mic sessions, and recruitment opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs and the public.