#South Korea #Seoul #KITA #KDB #NextRise 2026

NextRise 2026: A Record-Breaking Startup Fair in Seoul

The NextRise 2026 startup fair, recognized as Asia's premier event for ambitious startups, recently took place in Seoul from June 18 to 19, thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) and the Korea Development Bank (KDB). This year's fair marked a historic milestone with more than 540 startups participating, including around 140 foreign startups representing 30 countries. Guests witnessed groundbreaking technologies presented at various booths, with notable participation from major corporations such as LG, CJ, Hanwha Aerospace, Google Cloud, and Renault, all eager to explore potential partnerships with emerging startups.

The fair's 1-on-1 Business Meetup program, among the largest of its kind in Asia, successfully facilitated over 4,000 consultations across 170 booths. This initiative connected startups with leading global enterprises, investors, and partners in the venture ecosystem, focusing on identifying viable opportunities for business cooperation and investment.

In addition to networking, a series of insightful discussions highlighted global trends in prominent sectors. The conference featured more than 60 expert presentations, spanning critical industries like artificial intelligence, biotechnology, creative economy, and defense, while also offering strategic guidance for startups aiming to expand internationally. Keynote speakers included Marc Manara, head of startups at OpenAI, who spoke about the future of AI; Robert Langer, Institute Professor at MIT and co-founder of Moderna, discussing bio-innovation; and Hee-jun Lee, from CJ CheilJedang, sharing insights on sustainable growth in the K-Food sector. Additionally, KAIST Professor Man-Ki Kim addressed applications of dual-use technologies.

NextRise 2026 also introduced new on-site programs designed to enhance participation in the venture ecosystem. Attendees had the chance to engage with technologies from potential “unicorn” candidates, experiencing innovations like humanoid robots, AI drones, and security solutions. The event hosted startup and job fairs alongside 11 recruiting meetings, targeting young AI developers.

In recognition of innovation, 32 startups were honored with the NextRise 2026 Awards. The Top Innovator Prize went to MangoBoost for AI infrastructure and AmtixBio in the biotech and healthcare sector. Notable mentions included:

• - Next Innovator Prize winners such as MakinaRocks (Physical AI), EverEx (digital healthcare), and CSO (space technologies).
• - Recipients of the Rise Innovator Prize, which featured companies like Qunova Computing (quantum informatics) and Hurotics (wearable robotics).
• - For the International Innovator Prize, Ionic Wind (thermal technology) and Ti Intelligence (brain-computer interfaces) were applauded.

A spokesperson from KITA remarked, “In this transformative phase where AI is reshaping our lifestyles and industrial paradigms, the importance of startups with innovative solutions is more significant than ever.” They added, “KITA is committed to actively supporting these innovations to break down barriers between the national government, industries, and enterprises, generating tangible outcomes.”

NextRise 2026 leaves behind a remarkable legacy, galvanizing momentum in the startup ecosystem and setting the stage for future collaboration and innovation across diverse verticals.