NextRise 2025: Asia's Premier Innovation Expo Unites Global Startups and Corporations in Seoul
NextRise 2025: Revolutionizing Innovation in Asia
On June 26-27, 2025, Seoul hosted the highly anticipated NextRise 2025, a premier innovation expo co-organized by the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) and Korea Development Bank (KDB). This influential event marked its seventh iteration, attracting over 20,000 entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators eager to explore advancements across various sectors including AI, mobility, sustainability, and healthcare.
A Record-Breaking Meetup Program
One of the standout features of NextRise 2025 was its record-breaking meetup program. With over 3,600 one-on-one business meetings held between 250 large corporations and 1,100 startups from 28 countries, the expo created a dynamic environment for collaboration and growth. This year, Germany was highlighted as the featured country, bringing a 47-member delegation led by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWK). Esteemed companies like Mercedes-Benz and BMW, along with 21 German startups, participated actively, enhancing ties between Korean and German firms.
Networking with Global Innovation Leaders
NextRise 2025 also served as a bridge for global innovation ecosystems, inviting executives from top-tier global expos such as François Bitouzet of VivaTech (France), Leif Lindner of IFA (Germany), and Richard Ferraro of MWC (Spain). These leaders convened to deliberate strategies fostering international collaboration among startups, corporations, and venture capitalists, ultimately fostering a robust network for innovation.
Celebrating Innovation: The NextRise Awards
A highlight of the event was the 3rd NextRise Awards, which witnessed a staggering 702 applications with only 30 companies selected for recognition, representing a highly competitive selection ratio of 231 to 1. Notable winners included Mediwhale, an AI-powered health diagnostics company, and UEL, Korea’s sole lunar exploration robotics startup. Mediwhale specializes in non-invasive retina scans aimed at preventing cardiometabolic diseases, while UEL is pioneering lunar technology, cementing Korea's position in global space exploration efforts.
Supporting Future Innovators
The annual awards are not just accolades; winning companies received extensive support for international expansion through programs offered by Amazon Web Services (AWS) and NAVER Cloud in collaboration with KITA. This support is crucial for startups looking to establish a global footprint.
KITA's Vision for Future Innovation
During the welcome address, KITA Chairman Yoon Jin-sik expressed his honor in hosting such distinguished guests and innovators, highlighting KITA's commitment to transforming groundbreaking ideas into tangible technologies that can reshape industries amid the challenges posed by AI, deep-tech, and environmental sustainability. He emphasized KITA’s role as a pivotal connector in fostering industrial transformation and innovation for the future.
Closing Thoughts
NextRise 2025 not only spotlighted the innovations of today but also laid the groundwork for the technological advancements of tomorrow. As the event concluded, the atmosphere was charged with optimism and determination from all participants to leverage the connections made and the ideas exchanged. With its continued focus on fostering innovation, NextRise sets the stage for a bright future of collaboration and technological evolution in Asia and beyond.
Topics Consumer Technology）
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