K-Startup Grand Challenge: Supporting Foreign Startups in Korea

The K-Startup Grand Challenge (KSGC) is the main Korean government program dedicated to foreign startups. The initiative is organized by the National IT Promotion Agency and funded by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups of South Korea. 

Promoting Startups in a Pandemic

Each year, KSGC promotes the program in order to attract the most promising and competitive international startups. For the 2020 edition, it faced a unique challenge – how do you convince startups to apply in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic and, furthermore, convince them to travel to Korea? 

Using Data-Driven DOOH to Drive Applications

To build trust and improve conversion rates for its geo-targeted online campaigns, KSGC used Blindspot’s DOOH platform to buy targeted hourly billboard slots as part of a pilot project.

The campaign focused on Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) to track impact more accurately. Content was adapted from the program’s social media video and displayed on subway screens near startup hubs and outdoor billboards near major corporate offices.

The content that ran on the screens was an adapted version of the video running on social media, targeting locations such as subway stations near startup hubs, as well as outdoor advertising screens in both countries near key corporate offices. 

Maximizing Exposure with Smart DOOH

To optimize spend, ads only ran at key hours, ensuring maximum exposure and efficiency while keeping budgets under control. This flexibility is one of the main advantages of DOOH advertising for startups.

Results: 340% More Applications

The campaign goal was clear: increase startup applications. Despite COVID-19 restrictions, the pilot delivered outstanding results: a 340% increase in applications from the targeted countries compared to previous years.

Why DOOH Advertising Works for Startups

Adding Digital Out of Home to a startup’s marketing mix is more effective than ever:

• Studies show DOOH boosts campaign effectiveness by 37%.
• Data-driven contextual campaigns deliver an additional 16% sales uplift on average.

For startups, DOOH offers visibility, credibility, and measurable results, even with limited budgets.

See an example in our Virtual Escape case study.

Get Started with Targeted DOOH Campaigns

DOOH advertising for startups is fast, flexible, and cost-efficient. With Blindspot, you can launch a campaign in minutes, book by the hour, and target exactly where your audience is.

Find out more about how to efficiently use DOOH in your campaigns – create your account now.