KOTEC Holds 'Korea-ASEAN Venture Finance Talk' in Singapore

Discussion on Startup and Financial Support Strategies Based on Global Cooperation

Korea Technology Finance Corporation announced on the 20th that, together with the Korea-ASEAN Financial Cooperation Center and the Graduate School of Technology Management at Sogang University, it held the 'Korea-ASEAN Venture Finance Talk' in Singapore on the 19th.

This forum was part of the official events commemorating the opening of KOTEC's Singapore branch. It was organized to discuss strategies for establishing financial cooperation models between Korea and ASEAN, as well as for fostering a global talent-driven startup ecosystem. Thirty-eight participants attended the event, including representatives from domestic financial institutions, venture capital firms (VCs), and startups operating in the ASEAN region. They shared on-site experiences and insights, focusing on challenges and policy alternatives to revitalize global talent-driven startups.

'Korea-ASEAN Venture Finance Talk' held in Singapore. Korea Technology Finance Corporation

Korea Technology Finance Corporation, which organized the forum, shared major policy initiatives such as financial support measures for companies entering the ASEAN market, investment-linked programs based on technology evaluation, and strategies to support global talent-driven startups. The corporation also listened to the difficulties faced by ventures and startups expanding overseas and presented future directions for support.

Moon Sungwook, Dean of the Graduate School of Technology Management at Sogang University and presenter at the event, emphasized that for talent who have gained academic and practical experience abroad to return to Korea and start businesses, it is essential to have not only simple financial support but also consistency throughout the financial system and broad social acceptance. He particularly pointed out that it is crucial for policy financial institutions to establish structures that can systematically buffer uncertainties and risks that may arise in the early stages of startups, as this is a key factor in promoting global talent-driven entrepreneurship.

Kwon Sangyun, a young entrepreneur running the healthtech startup AidMi in Singapore, cited market accessibility and practical networking opportunities as more important than funding in the early stages of a startup. He stated, "If Korea-ASEAN startup exchange programs are institutionalized, the bidirectional startup ecosystem can be further vitalized."

Lee Youngjik, Director of the Korea-ASEAN Financial Cooperation Center, said, "We expect KOTEC's technology finance model to make a tangible contribution to the formation of the startup and venture ecosystem in the ASEAN region," adding, "Going forward, we will continue to strengthen policy linkages and cooperation at the center level in collaboration with KOTEC."

Kim Daecheol, Director of KOTEC, stated, "KOTEC will continue to respond to the policy finance needs of small and medium-sized ventures, create an innovation ecosystem based on technology finance that transcends national borders, and provide broad support to global ventures and startups by expanding startup and investment networks."