Seoul is about to become the startup capital of Asia for two days — and the world’s biggest AI names are showing up for it.
When two of the most powerful names in artificial intelligence — Nvidia and OpenAI — headline an event, the startup world pays attention. That’s exactly what’s happening at NextRise 2026, Seoul, set for June 18–19 at COEX, and widely considered the largest startup fair in Asia.
Now in its eighth year and running under the theme “Shape the Next,” this edition is shaping up to be the most significant one yet — not just in scale, but in what it signals about where global tech investment is heading.
What makes NextRise 2026 different from any startup fair before it
The biggest edition in the event’s history
The Korea International Trade Association (KITA) and Korea Development Bank (KDB), who co-host the event, are calling this the largest NextRise ever — and the numbers back that up. Over 530 startups are expected on the exhibition floor alongside 23 global companies and institutions covering AI, biotechnology, and advanced industry sectors.
More than 150 large and mid-sized corporations — including LG Group, Hyundai Motor, SK Telecom, Korean Air, Renault, and L’Oréal — will join over 120 venture capital firms for the event’s flagship 1:1 Business Meetup program, with more than 3,800 individual meetings lined up for partnership and investment discussions.
That’s not a startup fair. That’s a dealmaking machine dressed up as one.
France takes the guest of honor spotlight
This year’s Guest of Honor country is France, following Germany in 2025. Renault and L’Oréal are among the French names confirmed, and a dedicated French exhibition zone will spotlight the growing bridge between Korean and European startup ecosystems. It’s a signal that NextRise is increasingly becoming a global convergence point, not just a regional one.
Why Nvidia and OpenAI being here matters for Asian startups
The AI infrastructure conversation is coming to Seoul
The participation of Nvidia and OpenAI isn’t just a headline — it’s a statement about where the global AI industry sees its next growth frontier. Asia, and South Korea specifically, has become a critical hub for AI infrastructure, chip manufacturing partnerships, and next-generation model deployment. Having the companies at the center of that conversation at NextRise puts Seoul squarely in the middle of it.
For Korean startups especially, this kind of access is rare. Meeting a potential investor or technology partner from a global AI giant normally requires flying to San Francisco or attending invite-only events. NextRise brings that access to their home turf.
The event also features a dedicated startup recruitment meetup connecting early-stage companies with young AI developers — a concrete, practical pipeline that goes beyond the usual panels and handshakes.
A track record that earns the hype
Last year’s results tell the real story
It’s easy to be skeptical of startup fairs. Many produce buzz, few produce results. NextRise is different, at least by the numbers. At the 2025 edition, 205 startups secured tangible business outcomes, and 104 of them collectively raised the equivalent of around $370 million USD in investment. Participants came from 28 countries. Over 25,000 people attended, spanning 3,700-plus business meetups and 60 conference speakers.
That’s not a networking event. That’s a launching pad. And 2026 is set to top all of it.
The NextRise Awards program adds another layer — standout startups get selected for dedicated support in global expansion, giving winners something more valuable than a trophy: a real shot at scaling internationally with institutional backing.
What’s happening at NextRise 2026
1:1 Business Meetup program with 3,800+ scheduled meetings
NextRise Awards — global expansion support for standout startups
Startup recruitment meetup connecting founders with AI developers
Open Innovation Concert + keynotes + panel discussions
France as Guest of Honor — 28 countries represented
Should you care about NextRise if you’re not in Seoul?
Yes — and here’s why. The companies and investors who show up to events like NextRise are signaling where they’re placing their bets. When Nvidia and OpenAI are in the room, it means the Asian startup market isn’t a side note in global tech strategy. It’s a primary chapter.
If you’re a founder, an investor, or even just someone tracking where AI money is flowing, NextRise 2026 is one to watch closely. The deals made in those 3,800 meetups over two days in Seoul will ripple outward.
The full list of participating corporations and investors is available at nextrise.co.kr/en. If you’re thinking about attending — as a startup, an investor, or just a curious observer of where the world is heading — the time to look into it is now.
