Seoul National University of Science and Technology (hereinafter SeoulTech) Startup Support Foundation’s Preliminary Startup Package Business Center has established an “Overseas PoC (Proof of Concept) Support Program” to provide systematic and strategic opportunities for startups seeking to enter global markets. Preliminary Startup Package startups selected this year, including K-Nano, OptiQ Labs, and OnDemandBio, gained the opportunity to participate in the Japanese open innovation startup matching event “Innovation Leaders Summit 2025 (ILS 2025).” Through this, they received positive responses in the Japanese market and achieved meaningful results.


The Preliminary Startup Package Business Center recruited participants for the Overseas PoC Support Program from among its Preliminary Startup Package startups in August this year. As a result, K-Nano, OptiQ Labs, and OnDemandBio were confirmed as participating companies. Ahead of ILS participation, from October to December, they proceeded step by step with preparatory activities such as pre-education on entering the Japanese market, discovering local buyers, and overseas proof-of-concept testing, with active support from the SeoulTech Startup Support Foundation. This strategy aimed to reduce trial and error and time required in the Japanese PoC process.

ILS was held from December 1 to 4 at Toranomon Hills in Tokyo, Japan. As Asia’s largest open innovation event sponsored by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, it brought together more than 600 startups from around the world and over 10 major Japanese corporations, including Panasonic, NEC, and NTT.

K-Nano, OptiQ Labs, and OnDemandBio conducted a wide range of meetings at ILS, ranging from leading Japanese venture capital firms (VCs) to corporate venture capital (CVC) arms of large companies. The core of ILS is “Power Matching,” a one-on-one private business meeting based on prior matching. In these sessions, K-Nano stood out in high value-added sectors such as semiconductors, OptiQ Labs distinguished itself in the deep tech area related to quantum technology, and OnDemandBio drew attention in the food-tech biomanufacturing field.


OptiQ Labs CEO Jung Sung-jae said, “We participated in this Overseas PoC Program because we already have local networks with institutions such as the University of Tokyo and the Japan Atomic Energy Agency, which we believed would greatly help our entry into Japan,” adding, “It was a valuable opportunity just to be able to share insights on quantum technology with Japanese investors and major corporations. We are continuing to communicate with local VCs and CVCs and are looking forward to concrete outcomes.”

K-Nano project manager Ji Hyeong-woo explained, “We took part in Power Matching, the core of ILS, and were able to have in-depth discussions with major Japanese companies. We are currently conducting follow-up meetings and discussing possibilities for collaboration.”

OnDemandBio CEO Suh Seung-oh stated, “As we pursue the development of high value-added biomaterials based on precision fermentation, early-stage global customer validation has been extremely important. We viewed this Overseas PoC Program as a good opportunity to rapidly verify technological suitability and customer responses in the Japanese market.” He continued, “At ILS, we held one-on-one business meetings with major Japanese food companies and distributors and received positive feedback on the marketability of our technology. We also secured companies with which we have begun concrete joint development discussions.”


In particular, the SeoulTech Startup Support Foundation helped the startups establish a foothold in Japan by providing an ILS booth, interpretation support, and arranging additional meetings. CEO Jung commented, “We received extensive support from the Startup Support Foundation. When we were unavoidably away from our booth, they helped by minding the booth, and they also enabled us to participate in other events during our stay in Japan. We were grateful for the wide-ranging support.” Manager Ji likewise expressed satisfaction, saying, “With the support of the SeoulTech Startup Support Foundation, we were able to set up a booth and explain and promote our technology to Japanese investors and various companies.”

CEO Suh also expressed gratitude for the active support of the SeoulTech Startup Support Foundation, emphasizing, “Thanks to this Overseas PoC Program, we were able to establish an important stepping stone for early global market entry and for discovering Japanese partners. This opportunity was a meaningful first step toward validating the value of our technology in global markets and creating real business opportunities.”


A representative of the SeoulTech Startup Support Foundation said, “Although the number of startups wishing to enter overseas markets is increasing, there is still a shortage of PoC opportunities. To address this, we designed this Overseas PoC Program,” adding, “Through matching with Japanese experts and buyers, we not only provided startups with opportunities for technology and business model PoC, but also established a foothold for their entry into the local market.” The representative continued, “By supporting market technology suitability verification and advancement through Japanese business matching, we also enhanced the prospects for stable overseas market entry. While only three companies were selected this year, we plan to expand the program next year to provide opportunities to more startups.”

Meanwhile, the SeoulTech Startup Support Foundation is a core institution that provides various startup-related support and programs to students, faculty, and the general public. It serves as an implementing agency for the Preliminary Startup Package and the Early Startup Package, which are major startup support programs of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development. Accordingly, it plays a leading role in supporting the growth and development of startups by operating customized support programs for each startup stage.

IT Donga reporter Park Gui-im (luckyim@itdonga.com)

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