Over the past decade, the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region has transformed into one of the most dynamic startup environments in the world. Home to more than half of the global population and fueled by rapid digital adoption, APAC has become a launchpad for entrepreneurs seeking scale and innovation.
Amid this surge, South Korea has taken a leading role. Once recognized mainly for its industrial strength, the nation has redefined itself as a modern startup hub linking Asia’s emerging markets with global investors.
This month, two major events, the ASEAN-Korea Startup Week and the Invest Korea Summit 2025, spotlight that evolution. The Pearson & Partners Korea team will be attending both, engaging with founders, investors, and policymakers to explore new opportunities for cross-border collaboration.
Korea’s emergence as a startup powerhouse stems from years of coordinated public-private strategy. Entrepreneurship now anchors the country’s long-term growth plan, supported by heavy investment in technology, infrastructure, and global partnerships.
Venture capital activity shows the results. In 2024, funding climbed 9.5 percent year-over-year to $8.95 billion, an impressive gain during a worldwide slowdown. The Seoul Metropolitan Government continues to expand the local ecosystem with initiatives like the Seoul Startup Hub Scale-Up Center and the upcoming Seoul Unicorn Startup Hub. The city’s goal is clear, nurture 50 unicorns by 2030 and open 10 global support centers by 2026 to connect startups with international markets.
Korea’s progress mirrors a wider transformation sweeping through APAC. Rising urbanization, growing middle-class spending power, and mobile-first economies are reshaping demand across the region. From Indonesia’s fintech revolution to Vietnam’s health-tech boom, digital entrepreneurship is thriving.
Within this ecosystem, South Korea and Singapore have emerged as regional benchmarks for 5G infrastructure, AI capability, and smart-city innovation, offering startups ideal testing grounds for scaling across Asia.
A strong talent base gives Korea its competitive edge. Its universities produce globally minded engineers, scientists, and designers who thrive in innovation-driven industries.
To reinforce that edge, the government launched the Global Talent Center in 2025, aiming to recruit 1,000 specialists in AI, robotics, and advanced manufacturing by 2030. The K-Tech Pass, introduced the same year, streamlines visa and residency processes for foreign professionals. Together, these programs position Korea as a magnet for global expertise.
Seoul’s startup ecosystem is increasingly international in outlook. The Seoul Business Agency (SBA) promotes Korean startups at global events such as CES Las Vegas, while the Seoul Awards highlight innovative local brands abroad.
In 2024, the Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development (KISED) partnered with Thales, the French multinational, to accelerate growth in deep-tech and aerospace ventures.
Meanwhile, construction continues on what will become the world’s largest startup campus: the Seoul Unicorn Startup Hub in Seongsu-dong. Spanning 100,000 square meters and designed to host 1,000 startups by 2030, it will serve as a global center for incubation, collaboration, and scale-up growth.
To sustain momentum, Korea has introduced reforms to make its market more accessible. In August 2024, foreign-investment rules were simplified and trading hours extended to boost liquidity. Progress toward MSCI Developed Market classification and plans to ease short-selling restrictions signal greater transparency and openness.
For venture capital firms and international founders alike, these changes strengthen Korea’s image as a stable, investor-friendly hub bridging fast-growing Asian economies with global capital.
The impact of these initiatives is already visible.
Liner, an AI-powered content-discovery platform, raised $20 million in Series B2 funding in 2024, bringing total investment to $32 million.
ZigBang, a leading prop-tech company, secured $77 million in Series E funding, reaching a valuation of $1.8 billion.
These milestones illustrate how policy, talent, and private capital converge to drive measurable success in Korea’s startup ecosystem.
The ASEAN-Korea Startup Week and Invest Korea Summit are more than flagship events, they represent Korea’s commitment to regional cooperation. By linking ASEAN entrepreneurs, Korean investors, and global innovators, these platforms foster a truly integrated ecosystem where ideas, talent, and capital move freely.
Rather than competing, Korea is collaborating; helping Southeast Asia’s emerging markets connect with mature ecosystems and global investors.
For startups expanding across Asia, Seoul offers a rare balance of opportunity and support:
World-class talent, strengthened by progressive visa and recruitment programs.
Advanced infrastructure, including the upcoming Unicorn Startup Hub and multiple acceleration centers.
Transparent regulation and a steadily liberalizing investment environment.
Few cities combine innovation infrastructure, international reach, and government backing as effectively as Seoul.
Korea’s transformation into a regional innovation leader reflects a clear national vision — aligning technology, policy, and talent to fuel sustainable growth. As APAC’s digital economy continues to accelerate, Korea’s influence will expand, bridging ASEAN’s emerging markets, established ecosystems like Japan and Singapore, and Western investors entering Asia.
For Pearson & Partners Korea, these developments align perfectly with our mission: supporting global startups and investors as they establish, scale, and thrive in Korea and beyond.
The excitement surrounding the ASEAN-Korea Startup Week and Invest Korea Summit 2025 underscores one reality, Korea is no longer just part of Asia’s innovation story; it’s leading the next chapter.