PIONEERS 2025 Korea Delegation: A Global Showcase of Korea's Emerging Innovators in Silicon Valley
🎁 Special Benefit for Attendees
All registered guests will receive a small gift inspired by Korean tradition as a token of appreciation.
(Please note: quantities are limited and the gifts will be distributed during the break on a first-come, first-served basis - so please stay with us and don't miss out! )
| Program Overview
The Pioneers is a global market entry program hosted by the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME), bringing together top-performing startups from the Korea Youth Startup Academy — a leading government-backed accelerator dedicated to nurturing early-stage entrepreneurs with high growth potential.
The Pioneers 2025 Korea delegation comprises 20 companies specifically selected for their strong global potential. From September 22–26, they will visit Silicon Valley and Los Angeles to participate in demo days and business matchmaking sessions with local investors, partners, buyers, and so on.
This program offers a unique platform to directly connect Korea’s next-generation innovators with key players in the U.S. startup, investment, and enterprise ecosystem — fostering meaningful partnerships and unlocking opportunities for global growth.
About Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME)
KOSME, under the Ministry of SMEs and Startups of the Korean government, has over 40 years of experience in supporting the growth, innovation, and global expansion of Korean small and medium-sized enterprises. With a proven track record in nurturing some of Korea’s most successful startups, KOSME plays a central role in shaping Korea’s startup ecosystem and bridging it with global markets. Since 2011, KOSME has operated the Korea Youth Startup Academy across the country, supporting early-stage startups to grow into unicorn companies.
Unicorn Alumni from Youth Startup Academy of KOSME
Toss (Viva Republica) | Korea’s first and most iconic fintech unicorns
Zigbang (Zigbang) | a leading real estate platform
| Program Schedule
*** Details on time and venue will be shared soon
📍 Venue: Avatar Hotel Santa Clara, Tapestry Collection by Hilton - Meeting Room (200 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara)
🕖 Fri, September 26, 1:00 - 4:00 PM (PT) : Private Demo Day & Business Matchmaking Session
1:00 - 1:30 PM : Reception
1:30 - 2:30 PM : Session 1
🎤 Demo day (10 startups)
[Track 2] AI, Digital Innovation, Consumer Tech & Mobility
🤝 Business meetings (9 startups)
[Track 1] Beauty, Health & Personal Care
2:30 - 3:00 PM : Break Time with Gift Giveaway
3:00 - 4:00 PM : Session 2
🎤 Demo day (9 startups)
[Track 1] Beauty, Health & Personal Care
🤝 Business meetings (10 startups)
[Track 2] AI, Digital Innovation, Consumer Tech & Mobility
4:00 PM ~ : Open Networking
Session Description
Private Demo Day | Startup pitches and open networking with U.S. investors.
Business Matchmaking Session | 1:1 meetings
- Online pre-meetings may be arranged based on mutual interest(OPTIONAL)
| Why You Should Attend
🎁 First-come, first-served gifts available at the venue — don’t miss out!
Discover exclusive pre-market opportunities from Korea’s emerging innovators.
- Meet Korea’s Next-Gen Innovators
Discover 20 early-stage startups handpicked from Korea’s top government accelerator, the Youth Startup Academy, known for producing globally competitive entrepreneurs.
- Uncover Emerging Technologies and Market-Ready Solutions
From cutting-edge SaaS and AI to consumer tech and beauty innovations, explore investable and partner-ready startups poised to scale internationally.
- Connect Directly with Decision Makers
All participating companies are founder-led, with CEOs on-site to pitch, network, and explore collaboration opportunities with U.S. partners.
- Unlock New Partnership & Investment Pipelines
Build direct relationships with Korean startups seeking strategic partners, U.S. resellers, OEM/ODM collaborators, and global investors.
- Be Part of a Curated, High-Impact Exchange
This delegation is part of an exclusive market-entry program designed to connect Korea’s most promising young founders with the U.S. innovation ecosystem through in-person engagement.
| Expected Startup Sectors
The 2025 Korea delegation reflects the diversity and momentum of Korea’s emerging startup landscape, spanning both B2B and B2C models.
- Next-Gen K-Beauty & Personal Care
- Health & Wellness Consumer Tech
- AI-Powered Commerce & Retail Experiences
- Sports & Human-Motion Technologies
- Immersive & Creative Tech
- Mobility & Advanced Hardware
| Meet Our 20 Innovators
✨ [Track 1] Beauty, Health & Personal Care
AEACBIO — Real-time, adaptive skincare by blending skin analysis with wearables, environment and genetics to formulate on-the-spot, personalized blends.
Aneaty — Waterless, solid hair-care that “reinvents shampoo” to cut irritation, waste and cost; compact, vegan travel kits target sensitive-scalp users and frequent travelers.
Flowerdesk — Two superfood-based cleansing oils, “Excellent” (Dermatest) & Eve Vegan-certified, show >99% pore-cleansing efficacy and moisture increase.
GRAVITY — Clean-label inner-beauty line built on 2,160-hour naturally fermented organic ACV with four formats for diet, gut and skin health.
HWIRAN — Vegan color cosmetics that fuse Korean heritage (botanicals, cultural narratives) with modern dermatology; skincare-gentle makeup like the Plum Blossom Ampoule Cushion.
MAKEMAKE — A true detox shampoo designed to preserve scalp & hair health against chlorine, buildup, and time redefining global wellness through chemical innovation.
NAIL FLAT — “Crossover” balm formulation spans nails, lashes and skin, bridging pro salons and daily consumers for a three-stage B2B→B2C growth model.
Oddlycombined — Habit-centric wellness brands (Oddlysatisfine & abits) that design full-day self-care routines marrying clinical efficacy with sensory recovery.
ROLLDA — Portable heating hair roll delivers salon-quality bangs in ~3 minutes with high heat retention and hygienic storage; targeting trend-sensitive women in global cities.
💻 [Track 2] AI, Digital Innovation, Consumer Tech & Mobility
e-PowertrainKorea — B2B mobility specialist providing advanced powertrain solutions for mobility and drone applications with Korea-based engineering capabilities.
Gloing — AI video try-on for fashion that removes the need for physical samples, studios or logistics—cutting content cost/time for brands and creators and enabling affiliate commerce.
HOONDAHL STUDIOS — Immersive visual novel games with original J-POP/Anime-inspired soundtracks, blending deep storytelling, emotional music and high-quality artwork into a premium experience.
Infinite Monkeys — Wearable robot suit and ethical data marketplaces capturing high-precision, field-based motion data optimized for AI training.
LAONSON — Medication-management devices with automatic pill centering and replaceable blades for safe, hygienic use; designed for patients, caregivers and even pet owners.
LUXCorporation — AI-powered wrist correction device combines dual 9-axis sensors with real-time haptics and personalization for consistent golf swings; scaling with a content-to-commerce model.
PathFinder — XR platform turning accessibility education into scalable opportunities via next-gen VR simulators for schools, NGOs and CSR/HR programs; Meta Store & Steam channels secured.
Picky Global — Compact photo booths turning small spaces into big experiences with AI features for skin/color analysis and global payments for venue revenue.
PINGBA — All-in-one creator platform combining AI art generation, portfolio building, and client marketplace for seamless creative-to-commerce workflow.
Potential — Services+equity model providing complete product teams "free until profit" for 20-30% equity stakes to help domain experts build and launch new ventures.
Simflo — Reusable, ergonomic floss system with patented quick-lock cartridge (~150 uses) and bamboo floss, reducing single-use plastic by up to 98%.
| 2023 Program Highlights
A glimpse into the journey of 2023, where Korea delegation pitched, networked, and built global bridges in Silicon Valley
| Meet the Organizers
Hosted by : Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME)
Co-hosted by : beSUCCESS Media Group
About beSUCCESS Media Group
Founded in 2010 with the mission of helping Korean startups go global, beSUCCESS is a trusted leader in Korea’s startup ecosystem, known for driving cross-border innovation through its own global startup conference, international acceleration programs, direct investments, and strategic PR/marketing services.
We operate 11 global media channels, building credibility and visibility across markets — particularly through its trusted media platforms KoreaTechDesk and AsiaTechDaily.
| Contact
Mina Park, Director – [email protected] (LinkedIn)
Vallabh Rao, Director – [email protected] (LinkedIn)