The 2024 Seoul Bio Hub Global Expansion and Growth Acceleration Program (GEGA) is an initiative helping Korean healthcare startups expand into global markets. Organised by Seoul Bio Hub in partnership with VentureBlick, the program supports startups in their global expansion by providing hands-on industry exposure, connecting them with hospitals, corporates, and investors worldwide, and offering long-term support beyond the program itself.
As part of this journey, three AI-driven startups visited Singapore for an intensive three-day immersion in one of Asia’s leading healthcare hubs. They met key stakeholders, explored potential collaborations, and gained valuable market insights.
A Platform for Growth and Expansion
Running from November 2024 to March 2025, the GEGA program is designed to equip the startups with the knowledge, connections, and resources they need to enter global markets.
Before coming to Singapore, the startups completed a preparatory phase to ensure they were well-equipped for their market entry journey. They began with a Global Team Kick-off Meeting, where they aligned on program goals and expansion plans. This was followed by a consultation with the Korea Business Development Team, which helped them refine their global strategies and identify key areas for growth.
Market Validation was another critical step, involving expert consultations and research to assess the feasibility of their solutions in international markets. To strengthen their brand presence, the startups also received Marketing & Promotion Support, such as LinkedIn promotion and fact sheets, helping them enhance visibility and position themselves effectively. Additionally, they participated in online meetings with Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs), which offered valuable insights and early partnership opportunities with industry experts before heading to Singapore to pursue local business and research collaborations.
These sessions gave startups a solid foundation before engaging with stakeholders in Singapore.
Meet the Startups
This cohort of innovative Korean healthcare startups brought cutting-edge solutions addressing critical healthcare challenges:
AITRICS: AI-driven medical software that predicts and prevents life-threatening acute illnesses, providing early intervention capabilities to healthcare providers.
Medical AI: An AI-ECG software for detecting heart failure and myocardial infarction, enhancing cardiac diagnostic capabilities.
Monit: AI-powered solution that optimises diaper management for elderly patients, improving care efficiency and patient dignity in long-term care settings.
Engaging with Singapore’s Healthcare Ecosystem
The Singapore visit provided startups with firsthand exposure to Singapore’s healthcare ecosystem. As part of the program, we facilitated interactions with government agencies, healthcare providers, research institutions, medical device companies, healthcare distributors, and corporate partners. These engagements enabled startups to gain critical market insights, explore collaboration opportunities, and refine their market entry strategies.
Clinician Engagements
To provide startups with direct clinical insights, we arranged meetings with clinicians from Singapore’s largest healthcare clusters. These discussions offered firsthand perspectives on clinical needs, patient pathways, and regulatory considerations, helping startups assess the real-world application of their technologies. As a result, two out of the three startups are in process of signing research collaboration agreements, paving the way for further validation and adoption within Singapore’s healthcare ecosystem.
Industry Engagements
In parallel, startups engaged with medical device companies and healthcare distributors to explore business collaborations, market entry strategies, and potential distribution partnerships. These sessions focused on procurement processes, supply chain integration, regulatory pathways, and commercialisation opportunities, helping startups refine their approach to scaling across Asia.
Strategic Guidance and Brand Positioning
Another key highlight of the program was a one-on-one consultation with Chris Lee, Founder and CEO of VentureBlick, where startups received tailored advice on market expansion and commercialisation strategies. Additionally, they attended the VentureBlick Brand & Marketing Workshop, led by Anita Cai, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer at VentureBlick. This session provided practical guidance on positioning their brand, refining their value proposition, and effectively engaging investors, partners, and customers.
What Startups Had to Say
The startups found the program valuable in making meaningful business connections:
Sejin Kim, Product Manager of AITRICS-VC: “We had the opportunity to meet many doctors in Singapore and discuss the potential use of our product and the possibility of collaborating on research. I believe this can be a great opportunity and a stepping-stone for our company and the direction we are heading towards.”
Sun Kyeong Bang, Senior Marketing Manager of Global Business at Medical AI: "This program gave us a clear understanding of Singapore’s healthcare system in a short time. Meeting local business partners would have taken a lot of time and resources if we had to arrange it ourselves, but thanks to GEGA, we connected with the right people in Singapore."
Tony Park, CEO at Monit: "I’ve learned a lot about marketing and Singapore’s healthcare ecosystem. One of the biggest benefits was making tangible connections with healthcare companies and institutions. We’ve already started NDA, MOU, and contract discussions."
Looking Ahead
This program has set the foundation for these startups to expand into Singapore and the wider Asia-Pacific region. The partnerships and insights gained will shape their market entry strategies and position them for success in one of the world’s leading healthcare ecosystems.
Together, we’re driving healthcare innovation forward!
VentureBlick is Asia Pacific’s biggest healthcare accelerator, and we know how to connect startups with the right corporates, hospitals, and investors to make a real impact. Our programs are built just for you, with hands-on industry support and help that doesn’t stop when the program ends. Every step of the way, we tailor our approach to fit what your startup needs.
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