Seoul Demo Day Awards 20 Million Won to Eight Midlife Startups

Eight midlife-founded startups will split 20 million won ($14,500) in commercialization funding after pitching at the Seoul 50 Plus Foundation's "2026 Midlife Entrepreneurship Consulting Results Showcase," held October 28 at the Seoul 50 Plus Central Campus in Gongdeok-dong, Mapo-gu.

DOOY, a premium colored soy milk brand, took first place and 7 million won. Fester, a fire-prevention company built on power semiconductors, won second and 5 million won. Eco Eats, a plant-based food maker focused on upcycling, came third for 3 million won. The five remaining presenters each receive 1 million won.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government funds the program, run by the Seoul 50 Plus Foundation under CEO Kang Myeong. The foundation selected eight companies through a preliminary evaluation and judged them live in a Demo Day format modeled on an investment competition.

What did the top three companies build?

DOOY develops and sells premium colored soy milk made with regional specialties and functional ingredients. Judges credited the company with using differentiated products to appeal to consumers seeking meal replacements and with rapidly growing its initial sales.

Fester develops a fire-prevention solution based on power semiconductors. The judging panel recognized the company for quickly validating market potential and increasing sales on the strength of field experience. Fester also drew praise for a strategy to secure price competitiveness by lowering component procurement costs.

Eco Eats manufactures and distributes plant-based foods using upcycled ingredients—raw materials that would otherwise be discarded. The company tested customer response to a range of products and marketing strategies in stores and validated the business's potential, earning strong marks.

The three winners share one trait: founders who launched their businesses in the second act of their lives, drawing on extensive field experience.

How did the Demo Day work?

Each of the eight companies delivered a five-minute pitch followed by five minutes of questions and answers before investment professionals, including investment analysts. Judges scored the companies on:

• Distinctiveness of their business models
• Market potential and growth prospects
• Execution and business results
• Capabilities of leaders and teams
• Results of their participation in consulting

Five other companies presented their business results and future plans:

• Muse AI — an AI-based financial disclosure information service
• Pink Tech — AI-powered insurance planning using genetic and health screening information
• Danil — connects Korean beauty brands with overseas influencers
• Nuristem — a stem cell-based platform for validating the efficacy and toxicity of new drugs
• Peace Up — develops AI-based logistics data processing technology

The funding structure guarantees every presenting company receives support and can build on its results.

What did a year of mentoring produce?

The numbers behind the Demo Day run deeper than the prize money. This year the foundation held 280 tailored mentoring sessions for 82 tenant companies across its four campuses—West, Central, South and North. Six of those companies launched this year. Participating companies secured roughly 500 million won through public funding, policy loans and private investment.

The program paired each company with dedicated mentors matched to its growth stage. Specialists in areas such as intellectual property and digital security added targeted advice, supporting companies from launch through business growth.

The foundation itself is a Seoul Metropolitan Government-funded institution serving people aged 40 to 64. It provides comprehensive support for career planning, vocational training, employment and entrepreneurship, and operates the Midlife Employment Academy at five campuses.

"The results presented at this Demo Day are the product of midlife entrepreneurs' extensive field experience and efforts to take on new markets," said Kang Myeong, CEO of the Seoul 50 Plus Foundation. "We will connect them with the expertise and resources they need to establish themselves in the market and continue to grow."

The foundation plans follow-up investment reviews and introductions to investors based on each company's stated investment needs and consultation results—meaning the Demo Day pitches could convert into real term sheets, not just prize money.