Korean art startups are taking full-scale steps toward expanding overseas. As part of the Arts Management Service's 2025 Arts Startup Support Project, Painters & Ventures and Venture Square announced the successful implementation of a "Market Expansion and Global Market Research Program" in June, in collaboration with five Korean art companies and Innovation RCA, a startup support center under the Royal College of Art (RCA).
Accelerating global expansion through collaboration with the world-class Royal College of Art.
Five art companies participated in this program: The Baton, which developed the global instrument ensemble platform 'PAZAMA JAM'; Open Wall, which provides a total exhibition service utilizing blank walls; Curz, which operates the AI-based customized media art platform 'WAA'; Or Design House, a pattern design brand that incorporates its own developed patterns into various lifestyle objects; and Tabapress, which builds an art product IP platform.
The participating companies concretized their global expansion prospects based on their respective business stages and strategies. The Baton, which is preparing to establish a German subsidiary this year, focused on networking to support its efforts. Openwall, aiming for its first foray into the European market, focused on securing partners capable of micro proof-of-concept (PoC). Curz, through meetings with various local mentors and partners, laid the foundation for future business collaborations.
Founded in 1837, the Royal College of Art (RCA) is a globally influential art and design institution, ranking first in the QS World University Rankings for Art and Design for 11 consecutive years. Notably, Innovation RCA, the RCA's incubator for entrepreneurship, has seen 120 alumni launch 84 companies since its establishment in 2004, creating over 850 jobs in the UK. The RCA boasts impressive annual sales of over £38 million, exports of over £27 million, and investment attraction of £145 million.
From systematic pre-planning to innovation RCA local customized program implementation.
The program was divided into a preparatory phase and an on-site program. The preparatory phase included reviewing global market entry strategies, producing English materials, and mentoring on company profile storytelling.
The four-day local program held in London from June 23rd to 26th was even more enriching. Through Innovation RCA's accelerator program, participants explored business partnerships with local UK startups, and on Demo Day, they presented investor relations (IR) presentations to local investors.
Of particular note was my participation in the London breakfast meeting of Business Network International (BNI), the world's largest business networking organization. Founded in 1985, BNI operates over 10,000 chapters in 77 countries and boasts over 340,000 global members. This massive business network provided an opportunity to explore the potential for real-world local connections.
During the program, participating companies received one-on-one mentoring from local investors and business experts, including Thomas Rory Stone, Founding Partner of Kintsugi Adventures, Bankey Ojo, Director of Ivors Academy, and Sarah Ticho, CEO of HATSUMI.
Additionally, I visited the Small Business Research and Enterprise Centre (SBREC), a small business support organization run by the City of London, and learned practical overseas expansion strategies, including attending a lecture on the importance of networking for attracting investment and how to prepare an effective elevator pitch.
Exploring a New Model for Global Expansion for Art Enterprises
Through this program, participating companies completed a total of 45 business partner matching sessions, 15 investment meetings, 5 European market entry training sessions, and more than 5 individual market research sessions.
A representative from The Baton said, “We were able to build a network that will be of practical help in establishing a German corporation,” and “Our understanding of the local business culture has greatly improved.”
This program is receiving acclaim for going beyond simple overseas expansion support and enhancing the global competitiveness of Korean art companies through systematic and professional acceleration. Particularly noteworthy is the fact that, through collaborations with world-class art education institutions, participating companies were able to develop business capabilities that meet global standards.
Industry experts predict that this collaborative model will present a new paradigm for the future overseas expansion of Korean art startups. Korean art companies, fueled by creativity and technological prowess, are expected to thrive on the global stage.
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