The Ministry of SMEs and Startups said on the 7th that it held the "Korea-China Venture Startup Summit" at the Shanghai International Convention Center in China. The event was prepared to build a foundation for cooperation between the Korea-China venture startup ecosystems on the occasion of President Lee Jae-myung's state visit to China and to support Korean startups' entry into China.
The event consisted of "Dialogue with Korea-China venture startups," the "Korea-China investment conference," and the "Korea-China business meetup," and also featured exhibits of products and technologies by outstanding Korean startups seeking to enter China.
About 400 people, including senior government officials from both countries, startups, venture capital (VC) and large company officials, attended the main event. Representatives of the venture startup communities of both countries held a range of discussions under the theme "Korea-China startup ecosystem, from consolidation to joint growth."
Prominent startup leaders, investors, and researchers from both countries took the stage together to share experiences with the Korea-China startup ecosystem and discuss directions for cooperation. Participants included Han Bicheng, CEO of the Chinese neurotech unicorn "BrainCo"; Seo Beomseok, CEO of the Korean medical AI unicorn Lunit; Choi Hongseok, CEO of Korean Conversational AI solution startup MAUM.AI; Ahn Junghyun, CEO of autonomous driving drone startup "CNS"; Huo Jianjun, CEO of China Merchants Bank International (CMBI), the asset management and investment banking subsidiary of China Merchants Bank, China's largest commercial bank; and the founder and CEO of "MiniMax," a leading Chinese AI startup.
The dialogue with Korea-China venture startups was conducted under two themes: Korea-China startup ecosystem "consolidation" and joint "growth" through consolidation. BrainCo CEO Han Bicheng and Lunit CEO Seo Beomseok shared how they are driving technological innovation while working between the two countries. MiniMax CEO Yan Junjie highlighted the characteristics of China's startup ecosystem and the need to connect with Korea's outstanding talent.
In addition, MAUM.AI CEO Choi Hongseok, who has entered the Chinese market, and CNS CEO Ahn Junghyun presented possibilities for cooperation that combine the technological capabilities and market strengths of both countries, resonating with the audience. China Merchants Bank International CEO Huo Jianjun explained the strengths of Korean startups from the perspective of Chinese investors and outlined plans for Korea-China cooperation in venture investment through China-focused global funds.
About 100 key VC figures from Korea and China, including the Minister of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS), the Shanghai vice chair of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), SV Investment, and the head of China's CMBI, attended the Korea-China investment conference. The conference featured presentations on Asian investment trends, Korea-China investment market IR, and a panel discussion on cooperation plans.
A "Korea Venture Investment Corporation–China Merchants Bank International global fund signing ceremony" was also held. The global fund, with China Merchants Bank International participating as the general partner (GP), will receive a $10 million investment from the Korea Mother Fund and be formed at a size of $25 million. The fund will invest at least the Mother Fund's investment amount in Korean startups and serve as a bridge for Korean corporations' entry into China.
At the Korea-China business meetup, practical business matching and investment consultations between startups and investors from both countries took place intensively. About 150 people, including Korea-China startups and investors, attended, and programs such as startup IR, a Korea-China exchange meeting, and business matching were operated. Through this, Korean startups identified local partners in China and explored opportunities for joint business and technological cooperation.
Meanwhile, a Korea-China startup exhibition hall also operated at the venue. Ten Korean startups seeking to enter China showcased innovative technologies and products. Chinese flagship robot startup Agibot exhibited a Humanoid Robot.
Minister of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) Han Seong-sook said, "The Korea-China Venture Startup Summit is an occasion that made tangible the cooperative momentum formed through summit diplomacy into startup and venture investment cooperation," adding, "We will continue to support the venture startups of both countries so they can grow together and make a leap into the global market through this event."