Seoul/New Delhi: A young entrepreneur from eastern Uttar Pradesh has brought global recognition to India’s fast-evolving startup ecosystem by winning a top honour at one of the world’s most competitive innovation platforms in South Korea. Shivanshu, a founder from Basti, Uttar Pradesh, has emerged as a Top Winner at the K-Startup Grand Challenge (KSGC) 2025, held in Seoul, marking a significant milestone for Indian deep-tech innovation on the global stage.
His company, Predulive Labs Korea, stood out among thousands of applications from across the world in the prestigious accelerator programme, which is known for identifying and nurturing cutting-edge technology ventures. The achievement highlights the growing global footprint of Indian startups, particularly those emerging from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, which are increasingly making their mark in international innovation ecosystems.
Beyond the award, Shivanshu’s success carried rare diplomatic significance. During the event, he was the only founder selected to deliver a one-on-one technology demonstration to South Korea’s Minister of SMEs and Startups, Han. The minister’s acknowledgement of Predulive Labs’ technology is being seen as a strong endorsement of Indian deep-tech capabilities at the highest policy level in South Korea.
Reflecting on the journey from a small town in Uttar Pradesh to a global technology hub, Shivanshu described the recognition as proof that innovation is not limited by geography. He said the company is building a “digital bridge” by retaining its strong operational roots in India while leveraging South Korea’s world-class deep-tech ecosystem to develop solutions for global markets.
The KSGC 2025 win caps an exceptional month for Predulive Labs. Over the past 30 days, the startup has been selected for several of South Korea’s most elite innovation programmes, including K-Scouters 2025, OASIS 9.0, the Global Drone Challenge, and finally the K-Startup Grand Challenge 2025, underlining its rapid global rise.
Predulive Labs is a pioneering deep-tech startup focused on improving civil infrastructure safety. By using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Digital Twin technology, the company digitises physical assets such as bridges, factories and high-rise buildings, enabling real-time health monitoring. Its proprietary solutions are designed to predict structural failures before they occur, helping governments and corporations prevent disasters while significantly reducing maintenance costs.
While Predulive Labs has recently established its global headquarters in Seoul under the KSGC programme, it continues to maintain strong operational and strategic links with India. The company’s journey reinforces a growing narrative in the startup ecosystem—of Indian founders scaling globally while staying firmly anchored to their domestic innovation base.
