Where startups and corporates meet.
10 December 2026, COEX Seoul
For startups. Bring the product.
- Meetings fixed two weeks aheadMatches come from your needs and the corporates’ needs, and reach you on 26 November.
- Up to six corporates in an afternoonTwenty-five minutes at each corporate’s own table. You move; they stay.
- Read before you arriveYour company goes into a profile book in English and Korean that corporates study in advance.
- Interpreters at the tableAssigned by table for the languages you need.
For corporates. Name the need.
- Startups chosen for your needsTell us the technology and the partnership you want. We match you with one hundred screened startups.
- They come to your tableUp to six meetings at your own table, with interpretation and a meeting log you keep.
- A place on stageTwo or three corporates present their AI cases and technology needs in the open innovation session.
- Results after the dayA partnership survey and three months of follow-up on outcomes.
Matched before the hall opens.
- 1.ApplyBy 30 OctoberTell us what you build and which corporates you want to meet, directly or through your national agency.
- 2.SelectionEarly NovemberOne hundred startups from APEC economies are selected, with a reserve list.
- 3.Matching26 NovemberYour meetings are fixed from both sides’ needs and sent to you two weeks ahead.
- 4.Pre-meet onlineBefore the dayMessage your corporates, share materials and confirm at D-7, D-3 and D-1.
- 5.Meet at COEX10 DecemberSix rounds of 25 minutes, with interpreters at the tables.
Thirty tables. Six rounds.
Each corporate keeps its table for the afternoon. Startups move from table to table, one 25-minute meeting per round, up to 180 meetings across the hall.
Who takes part.
Startups headquartered in one of the 21 APEC economies, with a product or pilot in market. AI and other deep technology are given priority.
- Australia
- Brunei Darussalam
- Canada
- Chile
- China
- Hong Kong, China
- Indonesia
- Japan
- Republic of Korea
- Malaysia
- Mexico
- New Zealand
- Papua New Guinea
- Peru
- The Philippines
- Russia
- Singapore
- Chinese Taipei
- Thailand
- United States
- Viet Nam
Fields
- AI & data
- Robotics & manufacturing
- Mobility
- Energy & climate
- Healthcare & bio
- Fintech
- Commerce & retail
- Content & media
- Security & infrastructure
- Agri-food
Invitations are going out to leading corporates and CVCs in semiconductors, mobility, platforms, energy, finance, healthcare and consumer goods. The line-up of thirty is confirmed in early November.
The day
- RegistrationQR check-in and networking zone open
- OpeningWelcome and introduction of the 30 corporates
- Open innovation sessionCorporates present their AI cases and technology needs
- One-to-one meetingsSix rounds across 30 tables
- ASTAA panelGovernments, associations and corporates from APEC economies
- Closing and receptionNetworking and the MOU zone
- Close
Times are indicative. The final run of show is shared with participants before the day.
Questions
Who can apply?
Startups headquartered in one of the 21 APEC economies with a product or pilot in market. AI and other deep technology are given priority.
Can I apply through my national agency?
Yes. Startup agencies and associations across APEC are nominating startups. If one sent you a nomination link, apply through it so the nomination is recorded.
How are the meetings arranged?
Startups and corporates both tell us what they are looking for. We draw up candidate matches on 10 November, both sides review them, and the schedule is fixed on 26 November.
What language are the meetings in?
English. Interpreters are assigned to tables for the languages participants need.
How does a corporate take part?
Send a participation request. Our team follows up on your technology needs, and confirmed corporates are invited to the matching platform.
When will I hear back?
Selected startups are told by email in early November, with a sign-in link to complete their company page.
Meet at COEX.
10 December 2026, 12:00 to 20:00. COEX The Platz Hall A, Seoul.