Flagship Events

• NextRise: KITA/KDB global startup fair at COEX; major corporate, investor, conference, exhibition, and 1:1 meetup platform.
• K-Startup Grand Challenge Demo Day: inbound global startup program showcase.
• COMEUP: Korea startup festival and global ecosystem event.
• Seoul startup events: SBA/Seoul Startup Hub demo days, global programs, and corporate matching events.
• Sector events: AI, biohealth, mobility, content, gaming, smart manufacturing, and climate-tech events often matter more than general startup events.

How Foreign Startups Should Use Events

• Book meetings before the event.
• Prepare Korean-language one-pager and QR code deck.
• Use event participation to validate corporate demand, not just collect name cards.
• Track every conversation in a CRM and follow up within 48 hours.

References

• NextRise official site and internal 2026 event materials.
• KSGC official resources.
• KITA Startup Branch deck.
• SBA / Seoul Startup Hub event resources.