United Associates (CEO Lim Jaewon) announced it will participate in “COMEUP Stars 2024.”
COMEUP Stars 2024, the centerpiece of the global startup festival COMEUP 2024, will feature competitive IR pitching sessions in “Startup Valley.” A total of 50 teams, including 30 Rookie League companies, 10 Runners League companies, and 10 selected from the Rocket League through recommendations by the advisory committee, will compete. Finalists from 13 countries, including South Korea, the U.S., the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, India, and Türkiye, highlight the event’s global scale.
United Associates is an edtech startup that provides personalized English learning services using AI technology. Its flagship platform, “AI English Friend” Ella, helps users naturally improve their conversational English skills through real-time interactive dialogue.
The company’s AI-powered platform utilizes deep learning and neuroscience to analyze user speech patterns, enabling personalized, real-time feedback. With its app- and web-based AI chatbot, users can engage in stress-free, everyday conversations while developing essential language skills.
Founded in March 2018, United Associates was selected for the Ministry of SMEs and Startups’ TIPS program in 2022. It also received the highest technical credit rating of “TI-2 (Excellent)” from NICE TCB.
In June 2021, the company was selected as the lead organization for the ICT R&D Innovation Voucher Project by the Institute for Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation (IITP). In collaboration with the KAIST AI Research Center (Director: Professor Ho-Jin Choi), United Associates developed five core technologies for the “Ella” platform, filing four patents, publishing four research papers, and registering two software programs.
After beta testing its AI-powered learning programs with Korea Police School in 2023, United Associates launched AI Speaking, AI Writing, and AI Admin solutions for B2B customers. Building on this success, the company introduced its B2C product, “Ella School,” through app stores in August 2024. It has also developed co-branded products with Yanadoo and Kakao, with a December 2024 launch planned.
For its global expansion, the company completed a PoC test with VTC Online, a state-run enterprise under Vietnam’s Ministry of Information and Communications, and plans to sign an MOU. Based on this foundation, United Associates aims for international market entry by 2025.
COMEUP 2024 will occur on December 11–12 at Coex in Seoul, featuring innovative startups and investors from over 40 countries. This year’s theme, “Innovation Beyond Borders,” highlights startups’ roles in driving global innovation across boundaries of nations and technology. The event will feature conferences, pitching sessions, and exhibitions focusing on deep tech, inbound innovation, and SIS (Sustainable Innovation by Startup).
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