Korea Development Bank and MuHyup to Host Asia's Largest Startup Fair 'NextRise 2025 Seoul'

Seoul Yeouido Industrial Bank Headquarters. Photo by Younghan Heo younghan@

On the 15th, Korea Development Bank and the Korea International Trade Association announced that they will hold 'NextRise 2025, Seoul,' Asia's largest startup fair, at COEX in Samseong-dong, Seoul, from June 26 to 27.

Now in its 7th year, the event is co-hosted by Korea Development Bank and the Korea International Trade Association, along with the National Research Council of Science & Technology, the Korea Venture Business Association, and the Korea Venture Capital Association.

Last year, more than 20,000 visitors attended, with 373 startups achieving business cooperation and other successes, and 102 of those startups successfully attracting approximately 400 billion KRW in investment. Over 20 countries participated with major corporations, startups, and investors, demonstrating NextRise's expansion as a global startup fair.

This year, NextRise is expected to be held on the largest scale ever, featuring booths from about 500 startups and global companies, along with 150 domestic and international large and medium-sized enterprises and over 100 venture capital firms participating in 1:1 business meetups (business cooperation and investment consultation meetings) with startups.

In particular, the event has strengthened industry-specific special zones for future promising industry innovation startups centered on artificial intelligence (AI) and expanded participation from global and regional startups. Various programs have also been prepared, including keynote speeches and panel discussions by industry experts, and an open innovation concert sharing the innovation achievements of the venture ecosystem.

The signature program of NextRise, the meetup, will see participation from about 250 leading global companies and investors, surpassing last year's scale (around 220), including LG Group, Hyundai Motor Company, SK Telecom, Korean Air, HP, Airbus, and others.

A representative from Korea Development Bank stated, "Over the past six years, NextRise has been a platform where startups meet the market, connect with investors, and advance to the global stage." They added, "This year, as Asia's largest startup fair, with the slogan of accelerating innovation centered on AI, it will drive successful business cooperation and investment attraction among large and medium-sized enterprises, venture capital firms, and startups, greatly contributing to Korea's new leap forward."