A Launchpad for Korean Startups Going Global

SparkLabs

SparkLabs is a leading Korean accelerator whose co-founders draw on their own entrepreneurial experience to identify and nurture early-stage startups with global ambitions. By expanding its Demo Days and inviting international speakers, SparkLabs has turned these events into celebrations that attract industry attention. These efforts have sustained domestic and international interest in Korea’s startup ecosystem.

01Challenge

SparkLabs needed to highlight its distinctive startup development model beyond financial investment. This model identifies early-stage founders and helps their startups develop business capabilities through a 14-week accelerator program. SparkLabs also needed to focus media attention on its twice-yearly Demo Days.

02Approach

We highlighted SparkLabs’ distinction as an accelerator co-founded by experienced entrepreneurs. Interviews with its co-founders explored their philosophy and system for identifying and nurturing early-stage founders.

For its twice-yearly Demo Days, we established and operated the first media center in Korea’s startup industry. We invited 20–30 journalists covering startups and supported their on-site reporting. We also arranged in-depth, one-on-one interviews with prominent business leaders from the global startup community attending the events, generating media coverage.

In addition, we arranged interviews with the leaders of startups selected for the 14-week accelerator program and supported PR for alumni companies. Our communication strategy used portfolio companies’ growth to demonstrate SparkLabs’ startup development capabilities and results.

03Outcome

Interviews with SparkLabs’ co-founders, on-site reporting from Demo Days, in-depth interviews with international speakers, and coverage of alumni companies collectively highlighted SparkLabs’ rapid growth