APEC Startup AllianceBusiness Meetup2026
10 December 2026COEX Seoul
One afternoon at COEX, Seoul, where startups and corporates from across APEC meet. One hundred startups from the 21 economies and thirty corporates and CVCs come together for one-to-one meetings, open innovation talks and the ASTAA panel.
Also on the main stage: open innovation session and ASTAA panelCorporates and CVCs taking part 30+
Samsung Venture Investment
NAVER
Hyundai Motor Company
SK hynix
POSCO Technology Investment
Hanwha Investment & Securities
Mirae Asset Venture Investment- Mirae Asset Capital
Shinhan Venture Investment
Daishin Securities
Kyobo Securities
Smilegate Investment
SBI Investment Korea
Hyundai Investment Partners
Daekyo Investment
Wonik Investment Partners
Kolon Investment
NH Investment & Securities
Hana Ventures
NH Hedge Asset Management
Microsoft
For startups. Bring the product.
- Meetings arranged with youTell us which corporates you would like to meet. The secretariat arranges the one-to-one meetings around both sides’ interests.
- Up to six corporates in an afternoonTwenty minutes at each corporate’s own table, six rounds from 14:30. 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 stageIn the open innovation session a corporate sets out a problem it wants startups to solve, in front of the whole hall.
- Results after the dayA partnership survey and three months of follow-up on outcomes.
Main stage, 13:00 to 14:20
On the main stage. Before the tables meet.
The afternoon opens on the main stage for every participant: corporates and startups on open innovation that worked, and governments, agencies and corporates on what ASTAA does next. At 14:30 the one-to-one meetings begin in the meeting hall.
The full programme, session times and speakers are announced once the run of show is fixed.
From application to COEX.
- 1.ApplyOpen until 20 NovTell us what you build and which corporates you want to meet, directly or through your national agency.
- 2.SelectionEvery FridayApplications are reviewed every week; selected startups join the hundred, with a reserve list.
- 3.Matching26 Nov to 7 DecFrom 26 November the secretariat arranges one-to-one meetings around both sides’ interests, and shares each schedule by 7 December.
- 4.Pre-meet onlineBefore the dayMessage your corporates, share materials and confirm your attendance on 3, 7 and 9 December.
- 5.Meet at COEX10 DecemberSix rounds of 25 minutes from 14:30 to 17:00, with interpreters at the tables.
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 grows as corporates confirm.
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 matches from 26 November and fix the schedule on 7 December. Applications close on 20 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 interests, and confirmed corporates are invited to the matching platform.
When do applications close?
20 November 2026. Each startup receives its meeting schedule by 7 December.
When will I hear back?
Applications are reviewed every week. Selected startups are told by email, with a sign-in link to complete their company page.
Meet at COEX.
10 December 2026, 13:00 to 17:00 (registration from 12:00). COEX The Platz Hall A, Seoul.