Startup Junkie partners with Korean group to bring startups to NWA

Fayetteville-based Startup Junkie Consulting has partnered with the Korean Entrepreneurship Foundation (KoEF) to bring 15 South Korean startups to Northwest Arkansas for six weeks to
“foster international business relationships and support Korean startups.”

The partnership includes the Global Market Expansion Program (GMEP), according to Startup Junkie.

“This collaboration marks a significant milestone in Startup Junkie’s work to build ecosystem bridges between Northwest Arkansas and South Korea, hosting 15 innovative ventures from Seoul,” Startup Junkie noted in a press release.

The 2024 cohort includes companies across various industries, from AI and digital transformation to healthcare and robotics. Following are the 15 companies selected for the partnership.
DOWHAT – A digital transformation platform for the hospitality industry
emCT Co., Ltd. – A facility mobile control service for emergency notifications
SynergyAI – A doctor-powered AI company leading innovations in healthcare
Taper Labs – An AI assistant enhancing meeting productivity
Cigro Inc. – Automation for data integration and visualization
ROBOE Technologies Inc. – Intelligent robots for autonomous tasks
ColorLover Lab Co., Ltd. – Personalized color styling services
DeepSales Co Ltd. – AI-driven sales optimization platform
IPXHOP – A unique platform for trading intellectual property
Maycoders Inc. – Digitizing Korean cosmetics trade processes
Wonderful Platform – An AI-powered senior care companion
Playtag – AI behavioral analytics for child development
CodeCrain Ltd. – Academic research assistant powered by AI
Reverse Mountain Corp. – Advanced HR analytics system
WEVEN Corp. – Automated website analysis through AI models.

The accelerator program, facilitated by KoEF and backed by the South Korean government, began earlier this month in Seoul. The program will move to Northwest Arkansas in late September with a focus on engaging with local enterprises, ecosystem leaders, and mentors. The cohort will also experience cultural immersion, participating in events such as the Startup Crawl and the NWA Tech Summit, according to Startup Junkie.

“After four years of successful virtual programs to help the best and brightest South Korea ventures become enterprise-ready for the US market, we could not be more excited to have these GMEP ventures in residence in Northwest Arkansas this fall. This cohort will get to engage with some of the best large enterprises in the world. This GMEP program continues to build a lasting bridge between the South Korean venture ecosystem and our own,” said Jeff Amerine, founder and managing director of Startup Junkie Consulting.

The event will begin with a reception at 5:30 p.m., Sept. 24, at the One East Center Building – formerly known as the Pryor Center – in downtown Fayetteville. The Korean entrepreneurs will make their elevator pitches at the reception.