COEX announced that it will offer business cooperation and investment opportunities between major, medium, and small IT companies at the ‘World IT Show (WIS) 2024,’ which is South Korea’s largest ICT exhibition, starting on the 17th. The event, co-hosted by COEX and the World IT Show Organizing Committee, will feature various side events such as business matchmaking, presentations of new products & technologies, and an Open Antenna session, with participation from over 100 promising innovative companies.

This year’s exhibition will see the participation of promising venture companies in the ICT sector supported by the Korea Telecommunications Operators Association (KTOA) Venturium, including initiatives backed by SK Telecom, KT, and LG Uplus. Additionally, innovative companies nurtured and funded by IBK Changgong nationwide centers will also join the event.

Furthermore, companies supported by the Seoul Business Agency (SBA) for technology innovation, winners of the 2024 CES Innovation Awards, companies cooperating with Gangnam District on Smart City initiatives, ESG companies identified by the Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute, and promising ventures supported by the Young Entrepreneurs Academy will be in attendance. Moreover, the event will showcase around 100 promising innovative firms that have received seed investments from the Korea Early Stage Investment Association (KESIA).

The ‘Mingling Zone,’ introduced last year, will offer a ‘business matchmaking’ service on the 17th and 18th, facilitating 1:1 meetings for promising innovative companies, large and medium-sized enterprises, and investors to explore partnerships and investment opportunities. Last year, 417 1:1 meetings facilitated significant business collaborations and investments among companies of various sizes over three days.

On the 18th, the top 8 companies, having been selected through rigorous competition, will present their new products & technologies to leading companies, CVCs, and investors at the World IT Show. The Organizing Committee of the World IT Show will award prizes to the four companies deemed outstanding.

The ‘Startup Open Antenna,’ a leading talk show by the Seoul Creative Economy Innovation Center, will take place at 3 PM on the same day. It will feature discussions between major corporations engaged in open innovation and cooperating startups, sharing experiences, advice, and plans for the upcoming year related to open innovation.

The World IT Show Organizing Committee expressed its commitment to providing meaningful business cooperation opportunities through a variety of programs like business matchmaking, new product & technology presentations, and the Open Antenna.