Martial Arts, 14 Companies Selected as Candidates for the 'NextRise Awards'

A Total of 332 Domestic and International Startups Applied... Final 14 Candidates Selected

The Korea International Trade Association (KITA) announced on the 16th that it conducted presentation evaluations to select the Grand Prize and Excellence Awards among 14 candidate companies for the newly established 'NextRise Awards' this year, aimed at supporting startup growth.

The NextRise Awards is an award newly established this year by 'NextRise,' the largest global startup expo in Korea, with the goal of efficiently supporting participating startups' overseas expansion and growth.

A total of 332 startups applied for the awards during the recruitment period in April, and through document screening evaluating ▲technology ▲corporate capability ▲marketability, 14 startups in new industry fields such as AI, robotics, bio, and eco-friendly sectors were selected as candidates. Not only domestic startups but also overseas startups participated in the competition, including 'FTD solutions,' a U.S. startup specializing in industrial water resource management systems, and 'Kabuk,' Japan's largest travel subscription platform startup, both included among the 14 candidate companies.

[Photo by Muhyup]

A judging panel composed of major domestic venture capitalists, large corporations, and unicorn representatives will select one Grand Innovation Prize winner and three Best Innovation Prize winners from the 14 candidate companies. The results will be announced at the NextRise 2023 awards ceremony held at COEX on the 1st of next month. Companies selected for the Grand Innovation Prize and Best Innovation Prize will receive various benefits, including the opportunity to participate in 'Dreamforce,' the world's largest IT conference held in San Francisco, USA.

Jung Manki, Vice Chairman of the Korea International Trade Association, stated, "Over the past several years, Korea's export industry base has weakened due to expanded regulations, increased labor rigidity, and a lack of a clear growth vision." He added, "To overcome this, it is necessary to enhance R&D productivity and vigorously promote startup creation and growth in future industry sectors."

He continued, "The newly established NextRise Awards will not only promote growth strategies based on startups' new ideas, technology development, and innovation but also serve as an opportunity to raise the selected companies' brands globally, thereby facilitating their entry into overseas markets."