Connecting Seoul’s startup talent with Middle East opportunity

The challenge

Korean startups preparing for Expand North Star in Dubai, held October 15–18, 2023, needed regional business context and a compelling English-language pitch. The challenge was to connect their products and growth ambitions with the expectations of a new market and an international competition audience.

2080’s approach

2080 combined masterclasses led by Middle East experts with personalized mentoring on pitch decks, storytelling, presentation skills, and early customer acquisition. The programme connected regional market understanding with practical preparation for founders to present their businesses on an international stage.

• Introduced founders to regional business context.
• Reviewed decks and strengthened pitch narratives.
• Developed practical MENA go-to-market approaches.

What the programme delivered

The supplied record reports that seven startups advanced to competition semi-finals and that SKIA received a first prize at the 2023 North Star pitching event.

How to read these results

Competition progress is reported separately from investment or commercial sales.

Source: 2080 Ventures programme documentation supplied for this case study.