InvestorEmpowering South Korea's startup ecosystem through strategic investments.
Seoul startup ecosystem
Explore documented companies, programs, research institutions, and investors connected to Seoul. Superscout does not promise local investment access.
About
Seoul, the capital city of South Korea, is a bustling hub for startups and venture capital. Especially known for its technological advancements, Seoul is home to many globally successful startups. One of the biggest success stories to come out of Seoul is the global tech company Naver, best known for its search engine. Naver, which was started in a small apartment in Seoul, has transformed into one of the largest tech companies in Asia.
The startup ecosystem in Seoul is bolstered by the Korean government's strong support. The government initiative, the Korean Startup Grand Challenge, aims to turn South Korea into a prominent startup hub by providing funding, office space, and support to startups. They provide $130,000 to the top 60 teams, with extra incentives for the top 20 teams, making it one of the most generous startup incentives in Asia.
Another support platform for startups in Seoul is the Seoul Startup Hub. This organisation provides valuable resources for startups such as office space, mentoring, and various programs aimed at accelerating startup growth.
A number of successful entrepreneurs from Seoul have also risen to prominent positions in the global startup and venture capital ecosystem. One of the most notable is Bom Kim, the founder of Coupang, a Seoul-based e-commerce company. First started as a Groupon-like daily deal site, Coupang transitioned into a full e-commerce company and is considered the Amazon of Korea.
One of Seoul's most influential investors is Altos Ventures, a venture capital firm that was one of the early investors in Coupang. The firm focuses on investments in early-stage tech companies, with a strong emphasis on mobile and software startups.
Moreover, Seoul's startup scene also has a vibrant cultural aspect. The city's strong focus on innovation, coupled with a culture that values hard work and persistence, has led to an environment where startups can thrive.
Notably, Seoul has one of the highest smartphone penetration rates in the world, and South Koreans are known for being early adopters of technology. This creates fertile ground for tech startups to experiment and grow.
This month
On in Seoul this month
19 startup events in the next 30 days, 9 this week, 18 free. The city as a calendar, with the hosts and venues that keep it full.
Today, Sunday, Nov 1
OOO Welcome NOV | 에이전틱 워크플로우
LeeSergio · Beauty Selection 뷰티셀렉션FreeThursday, Nov 5
Incorporation Crash Course ft. Free Seal, Free Consultation & Pizza🍕
Global Startup Center · Global Startup CenterFreeOllama x FriendliAI Seoul Meetup
Meetup · FriendliAIFreeFriday, Nov 6
Let’s Study Bitcoin In English With Kimchi!!
ORIGIN X · 비트코인 하우스 오리진Free₿itDev Socratic Seminar
ORIGIN X · 비트코인 하우스 오리진FreeRegular hostsORIGIN X · 5Global Startup Center · 2Hayato Shibahara · 2KindsWorkshops · 3Meetups · 2Mixers · 1
Startup ecosystem standing
Where Seoul ranks
| Ranking | Edition | Position | Since last edition | Trust | What it measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Global Innovation Index: Innovation Cluster Ranking (formerly Science and Technology Clusters) | 2026 | #5 | No change | B | Innovation, Research, Activity |
 Global Financial Centres Index | GFCI 40 | #7 | Up 1 | B | Finance, Competitiveness, Business Climate |
 Global Startup Ecosystem Report (GSER) | GSER 2026 | #9 | Down 1 | C | Ecosystem, Performance, Finance, Talent, Innovation |
 Global Tech Ecosystem Index | 2026 | #10 | No prior edition | B | Ecosystem, Finance, Growth, Talent, Innovation |
 Global Cities Index (Kearney) | 2016 | #11 | No prior edition | B | Competitiveness, Performance, Talent, Business Climate |
 Global Startup Ecosystem Index (cities) | 2025 | #20 | Up 3 | B | Ecosystem, Activity, Finance, Business Climate |
 Global Cities Index (Oxford Economics) | 2026 | #38 | No prior edition | B | Performance, Growth, Talent, Competitiveness, Business Climate |
189 organizations with a profile
Who's based in Seoul
Investors 146
Investor
InvestorInvesting in AI, sustainability, and innovative technologies.
InvestorGlobal investment firm specializing in diverse asset classes.
The 3 most prominent of 146. Browse all investors
Accelerators 31
AcceleratorAccelerating startups in software and technology.
AcceleratorSparkLabs Korea is a startup accelerator and early-stage investor based in Seoul, focusing on helping Korean technology startups scale globally through…
AcceleratorAccelerating deep tech startups in South Korea.
The 3 most prominent of 31. Browse all accelerators
Incubators 9
IncubatorEmpowering international entrepreneurs in Korea.
IncubatorSupporting startups and foreign entrepreneurs in Korea.
IncubatorEmpowering entrepreneurs for a better world.
The 3 most prominent of 9. Browse all incubators
Venture studios 3
Venture studioEmpowering ambitious founders in emerging technologies.
Venture studioInnovating the future of health.
Venture studioBuilding companies together with founders.
Based here, most-ranked first
Universities in Seoul
UniversityListed in 3 rankings
UniversityListed in 2 rankings
UniversityListed in 1 ranking
UniversityListed in 1 ranking
Pick what describes you
Your way in
Raising in Seoul
Investors based here, and the programs that take teams at your stage.
Get investor introsFinding startups in Seoul
Accelerators and incubators here see the earliest teams first.
Get startups that fitScouting in Seoul
Campuses and communities are where teams form before anyone funds them.
Start scoutingQuestions about Seoul
How does Seoul rank as a startup ecosystem?
Seoul is #20 of 1,473 in StartupBlink Index (cities) (2025). It appears in 7 published rankings; the table above lists each one.
How many startup investors are based in Seoul?
146 investors based in Seoul have a profile here, including Korea Venture Investment Corporation, SK Networks and Mirae Asset Global Investments. The real number is higher.
Are there accelerators or incubators in Seoul?
Yes. Seoul has 31 accelerators, 9 incubators and 3 venture studios on record, including CNTTECH CO., LTD., Global Startup Center (GSC) and The Founders, Inc..
Which universities are in Seoul?
4 universities have a profile: Yonsei University, Korea University and Hanyang University and more.
Geographic proximity
Nearby cities to Seoul
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