Mimetics Takes the Lead in K-Beauty Innovation at Middle East’s Biggest Startup Event

Mimetics announced that it participated in the K-Beauty Innovation Delegation to Saudi Arabia and successfully operated its promotional booth at BIBAN 2024, the Middle East’s largest startup event.

Hosted by the Saudi Small and Medium Enterprise Authority, BIBAN 2024 was held this year under the theme “Global Destination of Opportunities.” The event featured nine ‘Doors’ forums offering diverse opportunities and provided a platform for networking and collaboration with startups from around the world.

To promote the local recognition of Korean K-Beauty SMEs and support their entry into the Middle Eastern market, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups dispatched the K-Beauty Innovation Delegation. The delegation operated a K-Beauty promotional booth within the K-Startup pavilion, conducted export consultations with local buyers, engaged in B2B meetings with major regional importers and distributors, and visited local institutions to lay the groundwork for market entry.

Founded as a student startup at Sungkyunkwan University, Mimetics is a company that draws inspiration from nature to develop innovative solutions. Over the past five years, the company has strengthened its R&D capabilities in collaboration with Professor Bang Chang-hyun and his research team, resulting in four technology transfers and over 30 domestic and international patent applications.

Through research, Mimetics discovered that the microscopic three-dimensional dome structures of octopus suction cups generate physical negative pressure, enabling strong adhesion across diverse surfaces and environmental conditions. The technology has been proven to maintain repeated attachment and excellent adhesion even on moist skin, silicone oil, or water. Mimetics is actively developing this technology for entry into the transdermal drug delivery market.

CEO Hyung-ki Park said, “It was very meaningful to personally experience the popularity of K-Beauty in Saudi Arabia. We believe that the delegation’s experience will serve as a successful stepping stone for our future entry into the Middle Eastern market.”

Meanwhile, Mimetics was also selected as part of the 6th cohort in Daejeon for the IBK Changgong program, an innovation and startup support initiative led by IBK Industrial Bank of Korea.

Source: StartupN (https://www.startupn.kr)

Yoo Inchun | ceo@startupn.kr