KOSPO-British Embassy Host Hands-on IR Program for UK Market Entry

**COMEUP 2025 Establishes Bridgehead for UK Entry! Deep-tech Startups Showcase Innovation on the Practical Stage of the European Market** The Korea Startup Forum (KOSPO), in collaboration with the British Embassy in Korea, successfully held 'KSF IR Day with British Embassy' as a pre-program for COMEUP 2025. This event provided domestic deep-tech startups with a practical IR opportunity to enter the European market, particularly the UK, drawing keen attention. Out of 77 teams that applied in advanced fields such as AI, robotics, and healthcare, a fierce competition rate of approximately 13 to 1 resulted in the final 6 startups (Mediology, Seven Point One, Qubic, AITech, Studio Galilei, Portray) presenting their technological capabilities and global expansion strategies in English. The judging panel comprehensively evaluated factors such as UK market entry potential, global scalability, and technological distinctiveness, providing detailed feedback without reservation. After intense competition, Portray, from the AI bio field, won the honor of the final victory. Portray received high praise for innovatively enhancing the efficiency and precision of drug discovery with its AI-based spatial transcriptomics technology. The winning team will receive unprecedented benefits, including support for a COMEUP 2025 exhibition booth, participation in London Tech Week 2026, and business matching with local UK investors and partner organizations. Particularly noteworthy at the event, SenseTone's UK subsidiary, swIDch, attracted attention by sharing its successful entry case through the UK government's GEP (Global Entrepreneur Program) and imparting practical strategies and know-how to aspiring startups. Through this event, KOSPO established an official exchange channel with the UK startup ecosystem and laid a solid foundation for Korean startups' global expansion. The British Embassy in Korea stated that the UK, Europe's largest startup ecosystem valued at $1.1 trillion, will be a strong partner for Korea's innovative technologies, and expressed anticipation for joint growth in deep-tech sectors such as AI and quantum technology. Beginning with COMEUP 2025, Korean startups' challenge to the global market is expected to further accelerate.