By Major Sunil Shetty, SM (Retd.)
On the sidelines of Startup Mahakumbh 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, MyStartup TV caught up with Ms. Crystal (Sujeong) Lee, manager of the Global Partnership Team from South Korea, for a quick chat. Hosted by Major Sunil Shetty, this interview dives into Ms. Lee’s experience at the event and explores potential synergies between the vibrant startup ecosystems of South Korea and India. The Q&A has been paraphrased for ease of understanding while preserving the accuracy of Ms. Lee’s insights. I began by asking for an overview of the South Korean startup ecosystem:
Ms. Crystal Lee: South Korea’s startup scene is thriving, not just in culture but in business as well. Our ecosystem is rapidly expanding, with strong government leadership and corporate partnerships. We have a massive fund allocated for supporting and nurturing startups. The Ministry of SMEs and Startups plays a central role, and I’m part of the Korea Institute of Startup and Entrepreneurship Development (KISED), which collaborates with the ministry to support a wide range of startups.
Major Sunil Shetty: In India, startups span diverse sectors—from technology to agriculture to food. In Korea, is the focus primarily on tech, or do you support non-tech sectors too?
Ms. Crystal Lee: While we support various sectors, our expertise lies in boosting technology-driven startups. We prioritize areas like AI, smart cities, and healthcare—deep tech fields. That said, we also have government programs for non-tech sectors, such as food, but our delegation here at Startup Mahakumbh is showcasing tech-focused companies.
Major Sunil Shetty: Speaking of collaboration, how do you envision the integration between the Korean and Indian startup ecosystems?
Ms. Crystal Lee: Collaboration with India is a key priority for us, especially at the government-to-government level. Last year, we hosted an event called “COMEUP” in Korea, where Indian government representatives from the DPIIT brought impressive Indian startups. Their visit inspired us to attend Startup Mahakumbh, which we’ve heard is the largest tech startup exhibition. We’re eager to deepen ties with the Indian government, co-organize events, and facilitate exchanges by bringing Korean startups to India and inviting Indian startups to Korea.
Major Sunil Shetty: How has your experience been at Startup Mahakumbh so far?
Ms. Crystal Lee: It’s exceeded all expectations! The energy and vibrancy here are incredible. I knew India was a promising market, but the scale and dynamism are truly remarkable. I’m confident this is a fantastic opportunity for Korean startups to explore business prospects and make an impact in India.
Major Sunil Shetty: Over the past few days, has your delegation made any meaningful connections you plan to pursue?
Ms. Crystal Lee: Absolutely. The event has been bustling from day one, and we’ve connected with a wide range of stakeholders—companies, government officials, media, and potential partners. These discussions have been highly productive, laying the groundwork for ongoing collaborations. Participating in Startup Mahakumbh was undoubtedly a wise decision for our government.
Ms. Crystal Lee: Thank you for this opportunity to share our perspective. I encourage everyone to keep an eye on Korea’s startup ecosystem. We’re eager to attract India’s talented youth to Korea through programs designed for foreign startups. If there’s interest in the Korean market, we offer financial support and resources to make it happen. Please stay tuned to our initiatives!
Major Sunil Shetty: We’re excited to follow Korea’s startup journey and share those stories with India, just as we’ll bring Indian stories to Korea. MyStartup TV is committed to this exchange.
Ms. Crystal Lee: Wonderful! I’ll make sure to promote Startup Mahakumbh and India’s startup ecosystem in South Korea to create more opportunities for exchange and interaction.
Major Sunil Shetty: Thank you, Ms. Lee, for joining us. We truly appreciate your insights.
