Korean startups pursue W1.3b in deals at Singapore tech expo

Twenty-six Korean startups participated in a global technology exhibition in Singapore, pursuing contracts worth about 1.3 billion won ($974,000) and conducting 759 investment consultations. Two Korean companies — one developing next-generation battery materials and another building wearable robot technology — were named among the top 50 firms at a global startup competition.

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Korea Startup Promotion Agency announced Monday they had achieved the results at the Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology, or SWITCH 2026, held from Tuesday to Thursday last week.

SWITCH is a global technology and startup event organized by Enterprise Singapore. This year's edition drew more than 25,000 participants from about 100 countries, with more than 30 national pavilions in operation. The Korea Startup Promotion Agency has participated in the event for five consecutive years since 2022 and has operated a joint pavilion with domestic startup support organizations since 2024.

This year, the agency joined nine other organizations — including the Gyeonggi Province Creative Economy Innovation Center, Korea Credit Guarantee Fund, KAIST and the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials — to establish the "K-Innovation Companies Joint Pavilion." Twenty-six Korean startups in fields including AI, advanced manufacturing, clean energy and biotech took part.

During the event, on-site investment consultations totaled 759 sessions with a combined consultation value of about 313.5 billion won. Contracts under negotiation came to eight deals worth about 1.3 billion won. Participants also signed eight MOUs, 17 letters of intent and three non-disclosure agreements. The consultation figures represent potential investment interest, not confirmed funding, and the contract amounts are not finalized sales.

Among the participating companies, Flux and Sartexo were selected as top-50 finalists at SLINGSHOT, a global startup investment pitch competition.

Flux develops ultra-high-purity metal anode materials using physical vapor deposition technology. Sartexo is developing a muscle-assist wearable suit powered by shape-memory alloy artificial muscle technology. Both companies presented their technologies and business plans to global investors at the event.

The Korea Startup Promotion Agency held "K-Startup Night," a networking event between local investors and Korean startups, on Sunday, the day before the exhibition opened. During the exhibition, the agency ran one-on-one consultations and investment pitch sessions for individual companies.

Korea Startup Promotion Agency President Yoo Jong-pil said SWITCH is "an important stage where Korea's promising startups can meet global investors and companies directly and turn their technology into new business opportunities." Yoo added that the agency would "continue to link domestic and international startup platforms to expand support for the global growth of Korean startups."