[SeoulTech x IT Donga Joint Planning] Seoul National University of Science and Technology (hereinafter referred to as SeoulTech) operates various support programs to aid the growth of startups, including preliminary and early startup packages, maker spaces, and global collaboration. Furthermore, in collaboration with IT Donga, it provides global news to assist startups in overseas promotion and expansion, introducing promising deep-tech startups domestically and internationally.

Seoul National University of Science and Technology participated in the Dubai Information and Communication Technology Exhibition GITEX 2025 with two startups from the early startup package. This program is part of the 'Startup Global Expansion (Dubai) Program' by the Seoul Regional Small and Medium Business Administration, also involving the Seoul Creative Economy Innovation Center and Korea University.

Seoul National University of Science and Technology has previously operated various support policies to assist the global expansion of incubated startups. This program targets early startup package companies, helping them analyze the environment for entering the global market, verify the market, and assess the potential for attracting investment locally. Additionally, it aims to secure partner companies and investment linkage systems to assist when they actually enter the global market.


Seoul National University of Science and Technology first selected beneficiary companies based on applications from early startup package companies: ▲ 'ShotAI', a global AI smart court solution company, and ▲ 'Studio Popcorn', a company with a hybrid production system for 2D animation using AI and 3D technology. It then provided education on the global market status and strategy formulation, understanding the overseas startup ecosystem, and analyzing investment partners.

Institutions participating in the Startup Global Expansion (Dubai) Program received education on the Dubai startup ecosystem and entrepreneurship ecosystem at Seoul Startup Village in Jongno on September 22 (local time). The STT Institute, a sustainability research institution and corporate nurturing hub in Dubai, participated as a lecturer. They then arrived in Dubai on October 12, set up an exhibition hall at GITEX 2025, and welcomed visitors.

GITEX, held annually in Dubai, has established itself as the world's largest information and communication technology exhibition. The 2025 event saw participation from 6,500 companies from 180 countries worldwide. Approximately 1,200 global investment stakeholders reportedly attended to witness the capabilities of around 2,000 global startups present.


Seoul National University of Science and Technology, along with ShotAI and Studio Popcorn, set up an exhibition hall at Korea Central in GITEX 2025 to introduce their technologies. Meetings with global industry stakeholders, major corporations, and investment companies followed. Studio Popcorn achieved tangible results by signing a business agreement with Morphic, a global generative AI tool developer.

On October 13, they engaged in facility tours, English IR (Initial Public Offering), and networking with Dubai's Falak Tyyeb Platinum Government Services. This event saw significant participation from major Dubai investment companies such as SEE Institute, Grover Impact Venture, and Wamda Capital.

After GITEX 2025, institutions participating in the Startup Global Expansion (Dubai) Program visited the Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Campus (DTEC) on October 16 to be introduced to the local startup ecosystem and facilities.


Startup representatives participating in the Startup Global Expansion (Dubai) Program expressed satisfaction with the pre-education, participation in GITEX 2025, and local networking activities. They also stated their intention to actively participate in such overseas exhibition support projects in the future. The operating institutions, including Seoul National University of Science and Technology, announced plans to gather information on investment companies in advance to increase matching efficiency and bring tangible benefits to participating startups.

Seoul National University of Science and Technology stated, “To enhance the performance of on-site meetings for participating startups, we will strengthen pre-consulting such as IR pitching and promotional materials. We will establish a solid foundation to strengthen the overseas expansion capabilities of startups and ensure that participation in overseas exhibitions leads to practical business.”

IT Donga Reporter Cha Joo-kyung (racingcar@itdonga.com)

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