C Forum (C-Forum) 2026, where startup investors and founders gather to share insights, opened on the 2nd at CGV Wangsimni.

Jeon Hwasung, CEO of CNTTech, who produced the film "Batch: Growth" about the growth of members of the startup ecosystem, said in opening remarks, "We made the film to let people know about the existence and role of accelerators," adding, "With the help of many people and the participation of dedicated actors, the film was completed."

On the 2nd, attendees enter the Wangsimni CGV in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, for the C Forum co-hosted by leading domestic accelerator CNTTech and economic media outlet ChosunBiz./Courtesy of CNTTech·ChosunBiz

C Forum 2026 is co-hosted every year on the first Thursday of July by CNTTech, a leading accelerator in Korea, and ChosunBiz, the business media outlet of the Chosun Media Group.

C Forum is a venue where members of Korea's innovation ecosystem—including startups, investors, large corporations, public agencies, universities, and policy institutions—gather to discuss industrial change and the future, based on the values of Connect (연결), Collaborate (협력), and Create (창조). In 2023, it first brought ecosystem members together in one place, and in 2024, during the investment cold snap, it exchanged views on "what to validate."

Marking its fourth year, C Forum 2026 was held under the theme "The Movie." As Korea's first startup film forum, it went a step beyond lecture- and panel discussion–centered formats to portray the process of founding and growth through film.

This C Forum also brought in officials from startup support programs run by CNTTech. Major institutions and corporations, including IBK Industrial Bank of Korea, Korea Sports Promotion Foundation (KSPO), The Korea Agriculture Technology Promotion Agency (KOAT), Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME), and iM Financial Group, joined as sponsors to support exchange and collaboration among members of the startup ecosystem.

Jeon Hwa-seong, head of CNTTech (first from left), and actors greet the audience at the C Forum co-hosted by CNTTech and ChosunBiz on the 2nd./Courtesy of CNTTech·ChosunBiz

Jeon, who has experience producing films in the past, unveiled "Batch: Growth" that day. Set against the backdrop of the startup ecosystem, it captures the processes of founding, investment, accelerating, failure, and retrying. It highlighted the true meaning of startup growth through the perspectives of diverse ecosystem members, including not only founders but also investors, screening officers, accelerators, and operations staff.

Before the film began, Jeon engaged with the audience. Jeon said, "You may freely film with cameras during today's screening." Jeon added, "We shot every scene with one- to two-page 'short scripts,' but with the help of many people we completed the film in two days," and said, "After the film ends, I will explain accelerator incubation trends and programs."

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