PEN Ventures, a global startup accelerator in South Korea, successfully supported 12 promising international startups in entering the Korean market through its participation in COMEUP, the nation’s largest global startup festival, held in December 10-12, 2025, at COEX in Seoul.
This initiative was part of 'K-Scouter', a premier global scouting program designed to identify high-potential foreign startups and facilitate their soft landing in South Korea.
To ensure tangible business outcomes, PEN Ventures provided comprehensive support beyond simple exhibition opportunities. The K-Scouter program offered an all-inclusive package to accelerate business activities, including consulting for corporate establishment, visa issuance support, and full coverage of round-trip flights and accommodation for representatives to attend major conferences like COMEUP.
This strategic support enabled founders to focus entirely on business development, resulting in meaningful discussions with major Korean corporations regarding Proof of Concept (PoC) projects, joint ventures, and local branch establishment.
The 12 startups showcased, aiming to establish a foothold in the Korean tech ecosystem, include:
- The Posture Lab (Wellness & Healthcare AI)
- AVITA Inc. (Retail-tech & Avatar AI)
- Tecnovelero slu (Eco-friendly Hydrogen Mobility)
- Smashlabs (Gaming & Gamification)
- Sahapan Trading Group (Logistics TMS - 'The Truckers')
- ASAPH (Digital Marketplace for Collectibles)
- Infinitix (AI Infrastructure Solutions)
- AET INDUSTRIES (Hardware & IoT R&D)
- orobo.tech (Supply Chain ESG & Digital Product Passports)
- ORBO AI (Beauty-tech & AI Vision)
- Wush Pte Ltd (Fintech & DeFi Education)
- MYGA PET (Pet-tech Data Analytics)
Keith Lee, Director at PEN Ventures, stated, “Through the K-Scouter program, we provide end-to-end support—from logistics like flights and housing to critical administrative tasks like incorporation and visas—so global innovators can seamlessly integrate into the Korean market." Lee added, "Korea serves as a strategic gateway for these startups to expand across Asia, leveraging the country's high technology adoption and robust open innovation demand.”
About PEN Ventures
PEN Ventures is a global accelerator and investment firm dedicated to fostering innovation by connecting startups with corporate partners and government institutions worldwide.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260223295105/en/
Through the K-Scouter program, we provide end-to-end support—from logistics like flights and housing to critical administrative tasks like incorporation and visas—so global innovators can seamlessly integrate into the Korean market.
Contacts
CJ Yoon
Team Lead (Program Manager)
cj@penventures.com

