KITA-KDB to Host ‘NextRise 2020, Seoul’

The Korea International Trade Association (KITA) recently announced that it would hold “NextRise 2020,” a global startup conference and exhibition, in cooperation with Korea Development Bank at COEX in Samseong-dong, Seoul for two days from June 23.

This year marks the second anniversary of the event and large companies from Korea as well as overseas, including Coca-Cola, Daimler, and Merck, some 70 venture capitals (VC) and 400 startups, will participate in it.

KITA says NextRise 2020 is expected to establish itself as the largest startup fair in Asia.

Global conglomerates and VCs will have online and off-line one-on-one meet-ups focusing on areas such as food technology, healthcare, games, artificial intelligence (AI), big data, and mobility that are emerging after the outbreak of COVID-19.

During the online conference, there will be lectures under the three themes: Trends in Technology and Investment, Policy and Regulation Improvement, and Open Innovation Strategies of Multinational Companies. In addition to the countries leading the relevant markets, such as the United States, Israel, and Singapore, the speakers from the United Nations and the European Union will be invited to help develop and improve Korea’s startup ecosystem and policy.

Cho Sang-hyun, chief of the Global Startup Center at the Korea International Trade Association, said, “This event is the first large-scale startup fair to be held after the epidemic,” and added, “We hope that NextRise will revitalize the startup investment ecosystem, which has been estranged since the outbreak of coronavirus.”

Applications for 1:1 meet-up will be accepted until May 22.