What Pacemakers does

Pacemakers (페이스메이커스) is a Seoul-based global deep-tech startup accelerator founded in 2017. It runs the EDGE (Entrepreneur Development Global Expansion) Platform, a B2B/B2G solution that aggregates overseas partner networks and delivers structured startup support across training, feasibility consulting, IR material distribution, and localization. Its operating model combines program services with direct investment through two proprietary funds: a 20 billion KRW Angel Fund targeting early-stage ICT convergence and content companies under three years old, and a 100 billion KRW Frontier Fund targeting Series A companies with strong IP and overseas expansion theses, for 120 billion KRW of combined fund AUM. Supporting programs include GSMP (mentor training with Dongguk University), U-STAR (Ulsan regional program), and NRP (metaverse/VR/AR cohort with Kingspring), with seven EDGE cohorts completed by April 2026.

Pacemakers serves three primary customer segments: deep-tech startups (AI, ML, fintech, blockchain, IoT, semiconductors, biotech), cultural content startups leveraging K-culture, and aspiring or established mentors seeking formal certification. Revenue is generated through three streams: investment returns from the Angel and Frontier funds, professional services fees from acceleration programs operated with government and corporate partners (Cafe24, mind AI, Dongguk University, Incheon Technopark, Gyeonggi Content Agency), and managed services for government-funded regional programs. Distribution occurs via direct application, a 20+ partner global network across Korea/Japan/Taiwan/US/Europe, and government referral channels.

The company is transitioning to a joint CEO structure (Kim Kyung-rak and Jo Ki-hwan as of May 2026) and recently consolidated Seoul-metro operations by relocating headquarters to Seocho-gu and opening a Gyeonggi branch in Pangyo while closing Yeongnam and Honam regional branches. The team is lean (1-10 core employees) supported by ~17 named partners with senior backgrounds at Samsung, Qualcomm, SK, LG, and major Korean financial institutions.

Name

Pacemakers

Legal name

주식회사 페이스메이커스

Website

https://pacemakers.kr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Pacemakers is a Seoul-based global deep-tech startup accelerator operating the EDGE Platform and managing 120 billion KRW across an Angel Fund and Frontier Fund, serving early-stage and Series A Korean startups with global expansion, investment, and mentorship services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Startup Accelerator Services

NAICS

Funds, Trusts, and Other Financial Vehicles (525)

akta.pro primary industry

Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated) (FSANAAAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Youth Business Incubators & Accelerators (EDAMAHAC)

Keywords

• Startup acceleration services
• Venture capital investment
• Mentorship programs
• Global market expansion
• Deep-tech incubator

Headquarters

HQ city

Seoul

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Investment Returns: Pacemakers generates returns through direct investment in startups via their Angel Fund (20 billion KRW) and Frontier Fund (100 billion KRW). The Angel Fund invests in early-stage ICT convergence technology and content companies less than 3 years old, with 70%+ of total commitment invested in these companies.
2. Acceleration Program Services: Revenue is generated through government-supported acceleration programs, partnership programs with corporations like Cafe24 and mind AI, and GSMP (Global Startup Mentor Program) operated with Dongguk University.
3. Accelerator Operations: Operating various government-funded startup support programs including Ulsan Youth Startup Academy, NRP programs, and Gwangju Special Zone acceleration programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Pacemakers is a global deep-tech startup accelerator that operates the EDGE (Entrepreneur Development Global Expansion) Platform, providing structured acceleration programs, direct investment through its Angel Fund and Frontier Fund, professional mentoring, and global market entry support for technology startups. The company runs multiple cohort-based programs (EDGE, GSMP, U-STAR, NRP) in partnership with government agencies, universities, and corporations to support startups from early-stage validation through Series A and overseas scale-up.

Product overview

Pacemakers operates as a global deep-tech scale-up accelerator offering a portfolio of acceleration programs and investment funds. The core offering is the EDGE Platform, a B2B/B2G solution that provides global network access, professional mentoring, and fundraising strategy for startups. The EDGE Program (Entrepreneur Development Global Expansion) delivers structured acceleration through training, feasibility analysis, mentoring, and follow-up management. Supporting programs include GSMP for mentor training, U-STAR for regional startup support, and NRP programs for metaverse/VR/AR/XR startups. The company manages two investment funds: the Pacemakers Angel Fund (early-stage, 1.5M+ USD) and the Pacemakers Frontier Fund (Series A, 8M+ USD). These programs and funds work together to support startups from early-stage through global scale-up.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• EDGE Platform: Entrepreneur Development Global Extension Platform - B2B/B2G solution for aggregating overseas networks and promoting startup growth
• GSMP
• Ulsan Youth Startup Academy
• U-STAR

Products and services

• EDGE Platform A B2B/B2G solution platform designed to aggregate overseas networks and promote startup growth and exchange. Provides global network access, on-demand programs, professional mentoring, and fundraising strategy support for technology startups.
• EDGE Program Entrepreneur Development Global Expansion (EDGE) acceleration program providing training, feasibility analysis, mentoring consulting, follow-up management, and global market entry support. Offers up to 300 million KRW direct investment per selected startup.
• GSMP (Global Startup Mentor Program) Startup mentor expert training program developed in partnership with Dongguk University Graduate School of Business, designed to cultivate professional mentors for the startup ecosystem. Korea's first such program.
• Pacemakers Angel Fund Angel fund worth 20 billion KRW that invests more than 70% of total commitment in early-stage ICT convergence technology and contents field companies less than 3 years old, with preferential treatment for outstanding IP companies and those located in Gwangju Metropolitan City.
• Pacemakers Frontier Fund Venture fund worth 100 billion KRW that invests more than 70% of total commitment in Series A stage companies, with preferential treatment for companies with outstanding IP and overseas expansion strategies.
• U-STAR Program Signature acceleration program of Ulsan Creative Economy Innovation Center, targeting pre-startups and startups within 3 years of establishment in technology fields including ICT convergence, robotics, and healthcare.
• NRP Corporate Cultivation Program Metaverse/VR/AR/XR startup growth support program operated in partnership with Gyeonggi Content Agency and Kingspring, providing company diagnosis, mentoring, investment attraction support, IR materials enhancement, demo day, and TIPS recommendations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Startups receive direct investment of up to 300 million KRW
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SVC SeoulcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Official partner for 2026 SVC Seoul Global Expansion Program. Pacemakers will provide intensive localization support including customs, tax, and legal advisory through a dedicated team of customs brokers, global accountants, and VC reviewers.
• MAZEcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 April 2026MAZE signed a tripartite MOU for offline AI solution expansion in Japan and globally as part of Pacemakers' business development activities. MAZE is a portfolio company that received pre-Series A investment from Pacemakers and focuses on turning offline spaces into living databases.
• iScale HubcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 March 2026MOU signed at Taiwan SCSE 2026 for global scaleup cooperation. Partnership expands Pacemakers' network to include UK-based European hub, enabling continental cross-expansion programs and resource sharing for startup overseas market settlement.
• CobaltminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 December 2025MOU signed to strengthen startup global networking. Cobalt develops B2B sales and contact management solution 'RealLizer', collaborating on startup support programs.
• Apex PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2025Strategic business MOU for startup growth. Apex Partners is a corporate management consulting company providing additional expertise for portfolio companies.
• mind AI (마음Ai)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 June 2025Partnership for EDGE 6th program targeting AI, deep-tech, robotics, and content startups. Combined AI expertise with Pacemakers' acceleration capabilities to support 8 startups with up to 300M KRW direct investment.
• Draper Startup House KoreacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMOU for startup scaleup support. DSH Korea provides space, business model consulting for scale-up, and investment attraction/IR support including Draper Fund. Differentiated approach from existing startup incubation centers focused on true globalization.
• Keiretsu Forum Seoul ChaptercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGlobal investment community of accredited angel investors, VCs, and corporate/institutional investors. Founded in San Francisco in 2000 with 52 chapters on 3 continents. Offers Korean startups opportunities to expand markets with channel partners and customers.
• KIC WashingtoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMOU for technical startup global business support. Cooperates on North American market entry support, startup discovery and US localization, and overseas expansion program development.
• enpactminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInternational partnership for overseas mentoring. 5 international mentors provide startup localization support through online sessions, covering topics from global market research to VC matching.
• Cafe24coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for EDGE 7th program combining Cafe24's global commerce infrastructure with Pacemakers' acceleration capabilities. Supports startup global market entry experimentation and initial performance creation.
• Dongguk University Graduate School of BusinesscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint operation of GSMP (Global Startup Mentor Program). First startup mentor expert training program in Korea, developed with Dongguk's academic resources and Pacemakers' practical ecosystem experience.
• Invest OttawaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation discussions for North American expansion with Canada's economic development organization, supporting Korean startups' entry into Canadian and broader North American markets.
• Kingspring (킹고스프링)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for NRP (New Reality Partners) Metaverse/VR/AR startup growth support program. 2023 NRP program selected 8 companies for direct cultivation and investment.
• LINC+ 4UminorOthersEducational institution partnership for startup ecosystem development
• Senior Venture Association (시니어벤처협회)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for startup incubation support. Connects experienced seniors' expertise with startup growth needs.
• Incheon TechnoparkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partner for various startup programs including Boost Startup Journey, 3K Startup program, and Market Fit programs supporting Incheon Free Economic Zone startups.
• Incheon International Airport CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for 3K (K-Tourism, K-Culture, K-Food) startup cultivation program targeting 4th industrial revolution technology-based startups seeking overseas expansion through the airport hub.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Primer (Primer Accelerator): Seoul-based AI/data startup accelerator; comparable to Pacemakers in running cohort-based acceleration for AI and deep-tech startups with mentorship and limited investment.
• D.CAMP: Korea's leading private startup accelerator/incubator operated by Daelim and others; comparable in providing early-stage acceleration, mentorship, and office space to Korean startups with a focus on ecosystem building.
• SparkLabs: Korean early-stage accelerator and seed investor running multiple cohort programs; closely comparable to Pacemakers in providing acceleration, mentorship, and seed investment to Korean tech startups with international ambitions.
• FuturePlay: Korean deep-tech focused accelerator and early-stage investor; comparable to Pacemakers' EDGE program in targeting deep-tech and AI convergence startups with seed investment and incubation services.

Broad incumbents

• Y Combinator: Global benchmark for startup accelerators offering cohort-based programs and seed investment; relevant as the international standard Pacemakers is positioned against for Korean founders seeking global exposure.
• Techstars: Global accelerator running themed cohort programs with mentor networks and seed investment; relevant as a broad incumbent whose global footprint and corporate partnerships inform Pacemakers' international scaling ambitions.
• Plug and Play: Global innovation platform running corporate-partnered accelerator programs across multiple verticals; comparable in operating B2B/B2G acceleration with multinational corporate partners.
• 500 Global (500 Startups): Global venture fund and accelerator operating cohort programs worldwide with seed investment; relevant comparable as Pacemakers' fund-and-accelerate model is conceptually similar though smaller in scale.

Regional players

• K-Startup (Korea Startup Promotion Agency): Korean government-backed startup support agency running its own accelerator and grant programs; relevant as both a partner and a quasi-competitor that Pacemakers must work alongside to secure government program mandates.
• Seoul Business Agency (SBA) / Seoul Startup Hub: Seoul municipal startup support platform offering incubation, mentorship, and programs for Seoul-based startups; comparable as a publicly-backed Korean accelerator ecosystem participant that competes for government mandate share.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments7 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pacemakers