Introduction to NextRise 2025
NextRise 2025, a leading innovation fair in Asia, is set to take place on June 26-27, 2025, at COEX in Seoul, South Korea. This event is co-hosted by the Korea Development Bank (KDB) and the Korea International Trade Association (KITA), making it a powerful platform for startups and innovation agencies to collaborate with Korean industry leaders.
What to Expect at NextRise 2025
Now in its 7th year, NextRise 2025 promises to be an exciting event, bringing together:
- Over 500 startups
- More than 250 global corporates and VCs
- Over 3,600 1:1 business meetings during the two-day event
In 2024, 373 startups successfully built business partnerships, and 102 startups raised a combined KRW 400 billion (~USD 300 million) in investment. This year’s event will have a stronger focus on AI, Sustainability, and Mobility, with an expanded 1:1 Business Meetup program connecting startups with tech scouts from Fortune 500 companies.
Global Participation and Partnerships
Highlighting its global reach, Germany has been selected as the Country of Honor for 2025. A Startup Germany Pavilion and the Korea-Germany Open Innovation Summit will be hosted in collaboration with IFA Berlin and Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK). National innovation events from JETRO (Japan) and VivaTech (France) will also be featured alongside 20+ global innovation partners.
Opportunities for Startups
Startups seeking 1:1 business meetings with major companies like LG Chem, Hyundai Motor, Amazon AWS, Airbus, and BMW are encouraged to apply via www.nextrise.co.kr by May 12, 2025 (KST). This is a unique opportunity for startups to collaborate with Korean conglomerates and uncover new investment opportunities.
Testimonials and Benefits
"NextRise is Asia’s most vibrant platform where startups can directly collaborate with Korean conglomerates and uncover new investment opportunities," said an official from KITA. A German startup CEO who attended in 2024 shared, "Last summer’s NextRise became a turning point for me. It helped strengthen my network in Seoul and directly influenced the development of our new MVP, soon to be announced."
Conclusion
For startups aiming for global expansion and innovation agencies seeking PoC and market validation opportunities in Asia, NextRise 2025 is the definitive platform. Following the event, companies can also leverage the Startup Branch platform for localized guidance on establishing a Korean entity and scaling operations in Asia. With its strong focus on innovation, collaboration, and growth, NextRise 2025 is an event not to be missed.
