The Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Korea Institute of Startup and Entrepreneurship Development (KISED) will take part in Europe's largest startup and innovation technology expo, VIVA Technology 2026, to support Korean innovative startups in entering the European market and attracting investment.
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) and KISED said on the 12th they will run a Korea pavilion at VivaTech 2026, held in Paris from the 17th to the 20th, and push various support programs to expand the global reach of promising Korean startups.
Marking its 10th anniversary this year, VivaTech is a leading European innovation technology exhibition that brings together startups, global corporations, investors, and government agencies from around the world. This year's event spotlights real-world applications of AI technology in industry and future innovation directions under the theme "Artificial Intelligence: Impact, Not Illusion."
Since Korea was selected as Country of the Year at VivaTech in 2023, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) and KISED have operated a Korea pavilion every year to support Korean startups in entering overseas markets and attracting local investment.
This year, KISED, seven participating institutions, the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME), and the Gyeonggi-do Economic Science Promotion Agency will collaborate to expand the Korea pavilion. Through this, they plan to present the outstanding technology and growth potential of Korea's innovative corporations under a single brand and maximize the national brand value and exhibition outcomes.
A total of 39 Korean innovative startups with technologies leading future industries—such as AI, productivity innovation, eco-friendliness, mobility, energy, and information security—will participate in the Korea pavilion. KISED will support business meetings with global investors and local clients, local investor relations (IR), and the networking program "K-Startup Night" to help participating companies achieve tangible overseas expansion results.
In particular, K-Startup Night, held on the 16th, one day before the exhibition opens, will bring together global investors, accelerators, and corporate officials to build networks and explore cooperation opportunities. Participating companies will engage with various local stakeholders even before the exhibition opens, laying the groundwork for follow-on investment and business partnerships.
Yu Jong-pil, head of the Korea Institute of Startup and Entrepreneurship Development (KISED), said, "Marking VivaTech's 10th anniversary and the 140th anniversary of Korea-France diplomatic relations, we expect this to be an opportunity for promising Korean startups to showcase their innovative technologies and growth potential on the global stage," adding, "We will continue to expand our overseas expansion support so that Korean startups can secure competitiveness in the global market and achieve results in attracting investment and entering overseas markets."