#South Korea #Seoul #startups #NextRise

NextRise 2025: A Premier Event for Startups in Asia

NextRise 2025, Seoul, is gearing up to be a landmark event as it opens its doors on June 26-27, 2025, at the COEX convention center. This innovation fair stands out as Asia's leading platform for startups, offering a vital opportunity to connect with industry giants and venture capitalists.

Organized in collaboration with the Korea Development Bank (KDB) and the Korea International Trade Association (KITA), NextRise has become essential in fostering partnerships between emerging startups and established companies in South Korea. This year marks the event's seventh iteration, promising exciting advancements in sectors such as AI, sustainability, and mobility.

Last year’s event saw 373 startups forming successful business partnerships and 102 emerging companies raising a remarkable 400 billion KRW (approximately $300 million). Building on this success, NextRise 2025 is expected to host more than 500 startups and 250 global firms, along with over 3,600 business meetings across the two days.

Highlighting its international focus, Germany has been named the country of honor for 2025. This includes the establishment of a Startup Germany pavilion and an open innovation summit between Korea and Germany, organized with the support of the IFA Berlin and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK). Additionally, various national innovation events sponsored by JETRO (Japan) and VivaTech (France) will be integrated into the fair, engaging over 20 global innovation partners.

Startups eager to connect with major players like LG Chem, Hyundai Motor, Amazon AWS, Airbus, and BMW are encouraged to apply through the event’s official website, www.nextrise.co.kr, by May 12, 2025. KITA representatives emphasize that NextRise serves as a dynamic platform where startups can directly interact with major Korean conglomerates, often leading to new investment avenues.

One participant, a CEO of a German startup, reflected on how previous attendance at NextRise significantly expanded their network in Seoul and directly impacted their product development.

For startups aspiring to reach the global market, NextRise 2025 is the ultimate venue for business collaborations and market validation in Asia. Post-event, companies can leverage the Startup Branch platform for localized guidance on establishing a presence in South Korea and extending their operations throughout Asia's robust market.

In conclusion, NextRise 2025 promises to be a hallmark occasion for innovation and collaboration, creating pathways for startups to thrive in an increasingly interconnected and competitive landscape.