14 K-Startups Leverage Singapore for Southeast Asia Push

Singapore's 'CONNECT 2025' Successfully Concludes, Korean Deep Tech Startups Shine on the Global Stage The global roadshow 'CONNECT 2025', which supports promising Korean startups in their overseas expansion, successfully concluded its 4-day schedule at locations including Singapore's 'Guoco Midtown Network Hub'. This event, hosted by TBG Partners for the fourth consecutive year, served as an important bridgehead, introducing 14 Korean startups to global corporations and investors. This year's roadshow featured deep tech startups in the bio/healthcare and sustainability sectors, including 'Crescen', a developer of next-generation surgical blades; 'Lytosoryus', a psychiatric treatment solution; '276 Holdings', which supports SME financing; and 'Billix', which develops bilirubin-based new drugs, showcasing their innovative technologies. 'Crescen', which garnered particular attention, achieved the feat of being selected among the top 60 in 'Slingshot', the global competition of 'SWITCH 2025', Asia's largest startup expo held in Singapore from the 29th, thus securing its advancement to the finals. This event saw a large attendance from global corporations such as AstraZeneca, Southeast Asian medical platform Docquity, and Singapore's National Healthcare Group (NHG), as well as leading investment firms like Farkuhar VC, K3 Ventures, Qualgro, and SC Ventures (Standard Chartered Bank), and representatives from research institutions like Nanyang Technological University (NTU), all expressing keen interest in the potential of domestic startups. The participating startups took to the stage with the support of major domestic institutions, including the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority, Incheon Technopark, Gyeonggi Economic & Science Promotion Agency, and Gyeongbuk Center for Creative Economy & Innovation. Lee Ji-sun, CEO of TBG Partners, emphasized, "Singapore is not only a bridgehead for entering Southeast Asia but also a necessary testbed for global market expansion," adding that they would spare no effort in supporting the successful global entry of Korean startups. 'CONNECT 2025' offered a diverse program, including a bio/healthcare forum, IR sessions for Southeast Asian investors, networking receptions, and participation in the SWITCH Private Forum, providing participating startups with tangible global business opportunities.