An annual consumer computer and electronics trade show, exhibition, and conference that takes place at the renowned Dubai World Trade Centre, Gitex Technology Week is the only live and in-person global tech show happening in 2020. With over 1,200 exhibitors from over 60 countries, over 300 incredible startups from over 40 countries, and over 200 of the most active investors and VCs from over 30 countries, Gitex Technology Week is one of the most anticipated events for tech innovators from around the world.
With its mission to gather influential stakeholders and industry leaders from the global tech ecosystem to set growth strategies for the future, the 40th edition of Gitex Technology Week happening on December 6 to 10 will be lending its support to international efforts poised to reactivate economic and investment activities in the global landscape.
Joining the roster of startups and tech innovators who will be pitching and showcasing their technologies at the Gitex Technology Week’s global stage are 15 of the top early-stage startups from South Korea.
Through the efforts of the Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development (KISED) and powered by SparkLabs, the 15 early-stage startups will be participating in a range of events including the Supernova Challenge (pitching competition), online booths, and networking. This initiative is set to pave the way for the 15 qualifying startups to jumpstart their venture into the UAE market.
These startups were carefully chosen after a rigorous selection process that included application review and in-person interviews, conducted as a part of a project that aims to help Korean startups showcase their businesses to international investors and potential business partners in some of the biggest tech events in the world.
The 2020 Global Pitching Competition Programme spearheaded by KISED seeks to help 45 of Korea’s early-stage startups explore the global market, discover different new technologies and innovations, and expose them to insights and best practices as shared by industry leaders from around the world.
“Korean startups have the DNA to enter the global market and we believe that through participating in these competitions, it will be an important first step towards global expansion,” share Eugene Kim, General Partner of SparkLabs.
Meanwhile, Edward Lee, Director of KISED, explained that “through participating in this event, teams who have advanced to the final rounds and even those that have not, will be able to gain a lot of valuable experience and be more prepared to venture into these countries’ markets in which these competitions take place.”
KISED aims to contribute to the development of the national economy through the growth of startup businesses and job opportunities and promote the technology-bases startups of future entrepreneurs by cultivating an entrepreneurial spirit.
Also read: KISED and SparkLabs to field Korean startups at the world’s largest tech event
15 participating startups
Ranging from various verticals including logistics, healthcare, and AI, the 15 early-stage startups that have successful qualified through the 2020 Global Pitching Competition Programme and who will be participating in the 40th edition of Gitex Technology Week are the following:
Lives’talk – the company creates affordable and accessible solutions for the nomadic pastoralists.
Climeet – Climeet makes warm technology and service for wiser climate change adaptation.
Wonderbros – Wonderbros’ Smart Grab&Go connects people and brands by innovating offline retail experiences.
Strong Friends Company – the company offers safe exercise from connected fitness equipment with the use of IT technology.
Coconut Silo – Coconut Silo’s Cocotruck is a smart logistics solution for all stakeholders in the logistics market, which enables cargo owners to make an order in 5 minutes.
Omnis Labs Company – a computer vision platform designed for non-AI professionals.
Nuvi Labs – AI food scanner that detects the types and the amount of food available, and is used for reducing incredible amounts of food waste in kitchens and cafeterias.
BlockOdyssey – blockchain-based anti-counterfeiting solution.
KEMEDI – chat-based one-on-one expert driven care advice service operating as a family caregiver.
Marine Innovation – eco-friendly Products from Algae as alternatives to plastic and wood.
Terenz – delivers precision healthcare.
PUBLISH – content management solution helping news organisations combat misinformation and increase engagement.
BCLabs – number 1 trading strategy open marketplace where investors can shop directly for RoboAdvisor trading strategies developed by various algorithm developers.
OneCHARGE Solution – smart EV chargers & app.
UJURA COMPANY CO., LTD – AI-based feline health monitoring system.
How these early-stage startups fair so far
What makes this opportunity fantastic for these early-stage startups is how the companies themselves have been able to examine and understand how to position their businesses in UAE’s thriving market. They have also identified which particular gaps their solutions will be able to bridge, and being exposed to stakeholders and other entrepreneurs from this region only bolsters and emboldens these Korean startups.
Youngchan Yoon of Lives’talk explained that, “UAE will be a good economical, geographical, and political base for expanding our business in the Middle East and North Africa. There are lots of common ground between the pastoralists in Central Asia and the Middle East. Lives’Talk can apply knowledge and experience accumulated from Central Asia and provide the most fitting solution for the pastoralists in the Middle East.”
On the other hand, Yeseul Lee of Climeet expounded on the nature of their product and how it can ultimately figure in the UAE Market. Lee explained, “through satellite image and AI tech, Climeet has developed ‘Honey Rain’, an application which prevent crop damage from squall (tropical heavy rainfall). Due to climate change, extreme weather conditions are increasing day by day in Southeast Asia as well as in the UAE, which is located at a similar latitude (ITCZ zone).”
Lee added, “as a countermeasure against this, an interest in smart farming and precision agriculture in the UAE market has grown. Climeet provides a preemptive service to respond to the food crisis by utilising the squall forecast.”
Coconut Silo, a logistics/commercial vehicle specialised mobility startup, has found chances in UAE in two aspects: market expansion and fundraising. One stop total logistics solution, Cocotruck helps users to earn more money and save their time based on several technological features.
Also read: Why Seoul is emerging as Asia’s hottest startup hub
Meanwhile, as the leading commercial hub serving the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia, the UAE (especially Dubai) continues to play a central role as a regional trade and logistics. Marine Innovation wants to let the world know that the company, an environmental Korean startup has the goal to replace single-use plastics with their 100% biodegradable, sustainable seaweed-based paper cups, disposable plates, and grocery bags at the Dubai Expo 2020. Marine Innovation, in the UAE market, will demonstrate a commitment to preserving our planet and reducing the harmful impact of plastic on existing and future ecosystems.
Lastly, PUBLISH’s core product, a blockchain-based content management solution promises to bring more transparency and press freedom to the Middle East.
These are only some of the ways in which the Korea-based early-stage startups seek to fuel the UAE market with their tech innovations, proving once again that the country’s global stamp in technology is here to stay. With this initiative, KISED and SparkLabs hope to introduce more of Korea’s finest to the global market.
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