GBSA launches global scale-up program for 11 Pangyo startups

Gyeonggi Business and Science Accelerator has kicked off its 2026 global accelerating program with 11 Pangyo startups selected for overseas growth support. The monthly Pan-Pan Day investor network will run through December as GBSA targets market entry, partnerships and potential exits in Southeast Asia and beyond. Why it matters: - GBSA is putting structured global growth support behind 11 Pangyo startups that want to expand beyond South Korea. - The program is built to improve commercialization, investor access and overseas market entry, especially in Southeast Asia. - GBSA is also trying to turn Pangyo startups into companies that can generate investment, M&A and exit outcomes on the global stage. What happened: - GBSA held the “Kick-Off & the 1st Pan-Pan Day” on June 2 at Gyeonggi Startup Campus The Link in Pangyo. - The event launched the “2026 Global Accelerating Program for Revitalizing the Pangyo Ecosystem.” - Eleven startups were selected from a competitive process to join the program. - The participating companies are DEEPVELO, MO Sports, Mond Inc., Minimap, THIRDWORKS, APELLES, EKONOLOGY, Taiga Global, PROVOICE, PLUM LOCATION and HAMADA LABS. - An IR introduction session gave each company five minutes to pitch its business. - Participants also networked around the topic of Asian market conditions and entry strategies. The details: - DEEPVELO makes sustainable water treatment systems aimed at boosting agricultural productivity. - MO Sports develops recovery shoes using biomechanics and ergonomic gait-structure design. - Mond Inc. offers an AI agent that creates video ads from a single website URL. - Minimap runs a verified game review platform tied to actual user playtime. - THIRDWORKS provides an integrated trade management solution powered by data-driven AI models. - APELLES offers a mobile app-based management platform for electronic display devices. - EKONOLOGY has built an IoT oral-care solution that combines smart oral irrigators and diagnostic platforms. - Taiga Global, under the Mosslab brand, develops moss-based indoor lifestyle devices. - PROVOICE supports global expansion for domestic indie IP, including illustrators, Instatoons and webtoons. - PLUM LOCATION sells a custom-formulated wellness and sports nutrition supplement brand. - HAMADA LABS is building global workflow automation infrastructure powered by a multi-AI agent engine. - Y&ARCHER operates the project and uses an AC 2.0 model that combines growth support, commercialization help and long-term self-sustainability planning. - Y&ARCHER says it has overseas PoC experience with 121 companies. - Y&ARCHER also uses 1-on-1 mentoring from SIR, a senior expert group of retired conglomerate executives. - The project draws on global partnerships across 22 countries and Thailand-based local corporate infrastructure. - The broader Global Accelerating Program is supervised by GBSA’s Techno Valley Innovation Division and operated by Y&ARCHER. - The program includes residency space, overseas market-entry consulting, IR pitching training and support for global Demo Days. Between the lines: - GBSA is trying to move beyond one-off investor meetings and create a month-by-month pipeline of fundraising and market-access opportunities. - The mix of startups points to a broad bet on AI, mobility, wellness, trade software, consumer apps and climate-related tools. - The focus on Asian market strategy suggests the program is designed for practical regional expansion before a wider global push. What’s next: - Pan-Pan Day will be held on the third Thursday of every month. - July will feature a meet-up with G-Fund operators. - August will bring an overseas VC roundtable. - September will include a conglomerate open-innovation briefing session. - October will include participation in the A-STREAM global conference on Jeju Island. - November will feature a local performance-sharing session in Thailand. - December will end with a final Demo Day. - GBSA expects the program to lead to meaningful business achievements, M&A activity and investment exits for the 11 startups. The bottom line: - GBSA is using a yearlong accelerator format to turn Pangyo startups into export-ready, investor-ready companies.