According to the trade association, Korean startup exports have grown by an average of 43.8% annually over the past six years. As the technological prowess and potential of domestic startups are increasingly taking up a significant portion of the nation’s industrial capacity, an exhibition has been held where domestic and international startups gather together.

'NextRise 2024', which supports the leap forward of startups and venture companies, was held at COEX in Samseong-dong, Seoul on the 13th.

NextRise, the largest startup fair in Korea, now in its 6th year, had the participation of 880 startup companies and 218 global companies and venture capitals in 500 booths.

A variety of programs were held, including startup and global company booth exhibitions, 1:1 business meetups, and conference sessions with lectures from domestic and international speakers. In particular, side events such as IR pitching and recruitment briefings by startups, networking sessions, and partner events were held on the event stage.
This event, held on the largest scale ever, featured startup products from over 500 startups in various fields including AI, bio, fintech, sustainability, ICT, lifestyle, healthcare, robotics, mobility, and secondary batteries. In particular, solutions for AI, semiconductors, and mobility attracted great attention.

Many system semiconductor fabless companies, including Gwanak Analog, EM Coretec, 3A Logics, Mobilint, and Next Semi, participated in the event, with 24 independent booths from domestic and foreign major corporations and related organizations, including LG, AWS, and Benz, and lectures were given by SemiFive, Furiosa AI, Rebellion, and Nvidia, who discussed the future of AI and advanced semiconductors.

At the four pitching stages, approximately 170 startups participating in the exhibition were given the opportunity to pitch and conduct IR pitching. In addition, startups have begun to attract talent through recruitment briefing sessions.
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who attended the opening ceremony, said, “The government will support competitive startups to grow into global unicorns,” and “In particular, we will focus on fostering ultra-gap startups in 10 new industries that will lead the global market, such as semiconductors, AI, and aerospace.” To this end, the government said it is working hard to establish support measures, such as creating public-private joint startup funding.

Kim Bok-gyu, Senior Vice President of Industrial Bank of Korea, said, “NextRise will expand the exhibition and pitching stage as a place for startups to meet the market, thereby increasing promotional opportunities for startups and expanding the national venture ecosystem globally by increasing the participation of overseas startups.”

Meanwhile, NextRise was hosted by the Industrial Bank of Korea and the Korea International Trade Association and co-hosted by the National Research Council of Science and Technology, the Korea Venture Business Association, and the Korea Venture Capital Association.