‘Incheon Startup Week ISW SURF 2024’, the city’s flagship startup festival, kicked off on September 10.

The event took place from September 10 to 11 across multiple venues, including Songdo Convensia, Sheraton Grand Incheon, and Oakwood Premier Incheon.

The event brought together over 130 participants, including 21 startup support organizations from the Incheon area, as well as local large enterprises, mid-sized companies, and startups.

Hosted by the Incheon Metropolitan City and the Incheon Regional Office of SMEs and Startups, the event was organized by the Incheon Center for Creative Economy & Innovation and the Incheon Startup Incubator Association.

BESTTURN, a ground handling company at Incheon International Airport, joined the event as one of the outstanding companies selected through the 2024 Early-Stage Startup Package.

This year’s slogan, “Start UP, Ready for Flying,” highlights Incheon as the ideal launchpad for startups aiming to go global.

The event featured lectures, seminars, and investor relations (IR) sessions focused on global expansion and investment strategies for startups. It also included exhibitions of competitive startup products and various hands-on experience programs.

In his opening remarks, Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok emphasized that “talent and technological innovation are the core elements of entrepreneurship, with young people and universities at the center.”

He expressed confidence by stating, “If we leverage Incheon’s strength in nurturing outstanding young talent, our city will surely rise to become one of the world’s top 10 startup hubs.”