Name

Korea Startup Forum

Legal name

(사) 코리아스타트업포럼

Website

https://kstartupforum.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Startup Ecosystem Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

SME & Entrepreneurship Development (Trade-Linked) (BPADAMAE)

Keywords

• Startup ecosystem advocacy
• Industry association membership
• Policy reform representation
• Entrepreneur networking events
• Startup community building

Headquarters

HQ city

Kangnam

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: KOSPO generates revenue through membership fees from its 2,824 member companies, providing access to policy advocacy, networking events, and ecosystem programs.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Korea Startup Forum (KOSPO) is a non-profit membership association that represents 2,824 Korean startup companies through policy advocacy, regulatory reform representation, networking events, and international ecosystem partnerships. The organization sells annual membership to startup companies and delivers value through flagship events (COMEUP, AXIS Summit), policy forums, and the K-Founder Network cross-border initiative.

Product overview

Korea Startup Forum (KOSPO) is South Korea's largest startup association, not a commercial product company. It functions as a policy advocacy organization and networking platform for startups, offering programs such as policy activities (정책활동), the KSF AI Summit (AXIS 2026), COMEUP global startup events, K-Founder Network initiatives, and member company support services. These are organizational programs and community-building activities rather than software products or technology offerings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• KOSPO Membership Program Annual membership program granting Korean startup companies access to policy advocacy, regulatory reform representation, networking events, ecosystem programs, and international market access opportunities. Currently serving 2,824 member companies.
• Policy Advocacy Program Program representing member startup companies in policy discussions with government ministries and the National Assembly, including the Venture/Startup Growth Forum debate series, policy briefings, and joint advocacy efforts (e.g., five proposed policy tasks for KOSDAQ capital market reform).
• COMEUP (Korea's Flagship Global Startup Event) Annual flagship startup event connecting Korean startups with international markets, investors, and delegations; serves as a global gateway for Korean startups.
• AXIS 2026 Summit (KSF AI Summit) AI-focused summit gathering government officials and AI startup founders to discuss Korea's AI transformation ecosystem and AI policy.
• K-Founder Network Cross-border initiative supporting Korean entrepreneurs in building self-sustaining communities abroad, with startup development, market entry support, and joint programs delivered through partner associations in target countries.
• KOSPO Letter Newsletter Newsletter providing updates on startup growth, policy and regulatory environment developments, and business support news to subscribers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2,824 member companies generating approximately KRW 18.9 trillion in revenue
• +2 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026KOSPO signed an MOU with FICCI at the inaugural K-Founder Network in India forum, supporting Korean entrepreneurs in building self-sustaining communities abroad. The partnership covers startup development, market entry support, and joint programs as part of the K-Founder Network initiative.
• Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026The Korea Entrepreneurship Promotion Agency (separate from KOSPO) signed a separate MOU with CII covering startup development, market entry support, and joint programs as part of the broader India-Korea startup cooperation framework.
• APEC Startup AllianceflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026KOSPO participated in the launch of the APEC Startup Alliance, bringing together delegations from all 21 APEC member economies and approximately 400 organizations including startup associations, government agencies, accelerators, VCs, and corporations. The alliance aims to formalize cooperation through policy sharing, network building, regular forums, and an online information platform.
• DG Daiwa VenturesminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 April 2026DG Daiwa Ventures participated as a partner VC in the Tokyo Unicorn Summit 2026, co-organized by KOSPO's partner organizations. The summit gathered over 70 startups including unicorns and more than 20 global VC investors to facilitate cross-border networking among Asian startup and VC ecosystems.
• Vietnam National Innovation Center (NIC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 February 2026KOSPO signed an MOU with Vietnam's NIC in Hanoi to promote cooperation in startup ecosystem development, policy exchange, and cross-border collaboration. The agreement supports Korean startups entering the Vietnamese market and aims to deepen ASEAN regional integration through connecting startups and investors, providing technical support to early-stage companies, organizing joint events, and pursuing collaborative research.
• Startup Island TAIWANflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Startup Island TAIWAN, Taiwan's national startup brand supported by the National Development Council, was invited by KOSPO to join COMEUP 2025, Korea's flagship global startup event. This marks an expansion of cross-border collaboration, with five Taiwanese startups representing the delegation and 2026 programs focused on Taiwan-focused incubation and soft-landing initiatives.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/korea-startup-forum

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Korea Startup Forum