Korea Development Bank Holds First Regional Round of the Year, 'KDB NextRound in Gyeongnam'

Korea Development Bank announced on the 28th that it held 'KDB NextRound in Gyeongnam' in conjunction with the startup fair GSAT 2025 hosted by Gyeongsangnam-do at the Changwon Convention Center. Photo by KDB.

Korea Development Bank announced on the 28th that it held 'KDB NextRound in Gyeongnam' in conjunction with the startup fair GSAT 2025, which was hosted by Gyeongsangnam-do at the Changwon Convention Center.

Since 2018, Korea Development Bank has been regularly holding regional rounds to spread the startup ecosystem, which is concentrated in the Seoul metropolitan area, across the country. The bank aims to provide investment opportunities for local startups and opportunities for investors to discover innovative regional companies.

The Gyeongnam round, which was the first regional round held this year, focused on expanding investment opportunities for regional startups with competitiveness in various fields, including Gyeongnam’s strategic industries such as defense, robotics, and materials, as well as sectors like distribution and healthcare.

The event consisted of an introduction to Korea Development Bank’s venture support activities, a panel discussion on the competitiveness of the Gyeongnam venture ecosystem, and presentations by five innovative startups based in Gyeongnam. The panel discussion featured Quantum Ventures Korea (a metropolitan area VC), Ready Robust Machine (a regional startup), and the Gyeongnam Center for Creative Economy & Innovation (a regional startup support institution), who discussed the competitiveness of the Gyeongnam venture ecosystem.

Shin Hyesook, Vice President of Korea Development Bank (Innovation Growth Finance Division), stated, "Gyeongnam is emerging as both a center of the regional venture ecosystem, where traditional industries and innovative startups coexist, and a hub for technological innovation." She emphasized, "Korea Development Bank will be a reliable partner for the growth of local startups, based on our mission that 'the competitiveness of the region is the competitiveness of the nation.'"