StartupsNov 2, 2026, 11:45 PM UTC·2 min read

Ex-Korea Startup Forum chief Choi Sung-jin joins Cols Dynamics

Choi Sung-jin, who led the Korea Startup Forum from 2018 to 2024, has joined Busan-born accelerator Cols Dynamics as Head of Startup Ecosystem, the company said.

A startup executive speaking at a conference about regional startup ecosystems in South Korea. — Image: 스타트업 생태계의 모든 것 \'플래텀(Platum)\'

SUMO

Dialo

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Choi Sung-jin, the former head of the Korea Startup Forum (KOSPO), has joined Cols Dynamics, an accelerator that started in Busan. The company announced on the 2nd that it has appointed him Head of Startup Ecosystem.

Choi was a founding member of KOSPO and served as its chief from 2018 until July 2024, leading work on startup regulatory reform and the expansion of the founder community. During his tenure, KOSPO was selected as the private organizer of the startup event COMEUP. After leaving, he became head of the Startup Growth Institute, where he has worked on policy research and proposals. He will continue that work alongside his new role.

What he will handle

At Cols Dynamics, Choi will oversee external partnerships for portfolio companies, build collaboration between tech and non-tech businesses, and support local startup ecosystems. The company describes the hire as part of a strategy to widen the accelerator's role beyond investment and incubation toward partnerships and ecosystem links. More than 90% of its portfolio consists of regional companies, and connecting them with talent, partners and markets has been a challenge.

"The aim goes beyond the interest of any one company; it is to build a foundation on which the whole regional startup ecosystem can grow together," Choi said. He added that he wants to help build an ecosystem where the capital region and other regions connect rather than compete.

Broader expansion

Cols Dynamics is also widening its investment stages. It put 1 billion won into AI freight platform Sendy in a Series B bridge round and 1.1 billion won into small-living-space service Pixel Space in a pre-A round. Next year it plans to set up local funds in several regions and extend its investment footprint.

Founded in 2013 as the first accelerator in Busan and South Gyeongsang, Cols Dynamics has supported more than 5,000 companies and made 282 seed investments, direct and through linked investors, worth about 107 billion won. It has bases in Busan, Seoul, South Jeolla and North Jeolla.

CEO Kang Jong-su said Choi has acted as a spokesman for founders and that the firm will strengthen its ability to give portfolio companies markets, people and partners, not just funding.