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SEOUL, South Korea, May 2, 2025 — NextRise 2025, held in Seoul, is recognized as Asia’s foremost innovation event, showcasing the latest technological advancements and startup ecosystems. It is scheduled to take place on June 26–27, 2025, at COEX in Seoul.
NextRise, co-organized by the Korea Development Bank (KDB), a major Korean policy bank and venture investor, and the Korea International Trade Association (KITA), which represents over 76,000 Korean trade companies like Samsung and Hyundai, has become a leading platform for startups and innovation organizations seeking partnerships with Korean industry leaders.
Entering its 7th year, NextRise 2025 will feature:
- More than 500 startups,
- Over 250 global corporations and VCs,
- More than 3,600 one-on-one business meetings over two days.
In 2024, 373 startups formed business collaborations, and 102 startups successfully secured a total of KRW 400 billion (~USD 300 million) in funding. This year’s event will further emphasize AI, Sustainability, and Mobility, with an enhanced 1:1 Business Meetup program connecting startups with tech scouts from Fortune 500 companies.
Demonstrating its international appeal, Germany is the designated Country of Honor for 2025. A Startup Germany Pavilion and the Korea-Germany Open Innovation Summit will be presented in cooperation with IFA Berlin and the Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK). National innovation events from JETRO (Japan) and VivaTech (France) will also be showcased, along with over 20 global innovation partners.
Startups interested in 1:1 business meetings with companies like LG Chem, Hyundai Motor, Amazon AWS, Airbus, BMW, and others are encouraged to apply by May 12, 2025 (KST).
According to an official from KITA, “NextRise is Asia’s most dynamic venue for startups to engage directly with Korean conglomerates and discover new investment prospects.”
A German startup CEO who joined in 2024 shared, “Last summer’s NextRise was a game-changer for me. It helped expand my network in Seoul and directly influenced the development of our new MVP, which will be announced soon.”
NextRise 2025 is the essential platform for startups seeking global expansion and innovation organizations looking for PoC and market validation opportunities in Asia. Following the event, companies can also utilize the Startup Branch platform for tailored guidance on establishing a Korean entity and expanding operations in Asia.
SOURCE Korea International Trade Association
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