NextRise 2026 to Bring OpenAI, Palantir, and NVIDIA Together in Seoul This June

The Korea International Trade Association (KITA) and Korea Development Bank announced they will co-host NextRise 2026, Seoul at COEX from June 18 to 19, marking Asia’s largest startup fair’s eighth edition.

This year’s event will gather approximately 1,700 startups alongside 300 major corporations, mid-sized enterprises, and venture capital firms from Korea and abroad. Participants will engage through booth exhibitions, one-on-one business meetups, sector-specific conferences, and IR pitching sessions designed to foster technology and business partnerships.

The 2026 edition stands out for assembling an unprecedented lineup of global AI industry leaders. First-time participants OpenAI and Palantir will join returning partners including Google, Anthropic, NVIDIA, and Perplexity, offering attendees a comprehensive view of the latest industry trends and future strategies.

In the biotech sector, Robert Langer, MIT professor and Moderna co-founder, will lead a special session on the future of biotech alongside Professor Chae-ok Yoon of Hanyang University. The aerospace segment will feature participation from NASA, Airbus, and Korean Air.

France serves as this year’s guest nation, commemorating the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and France. Clara Chappaz, France’s Digital and AI Ambassador who oversees the country’s AI strategy, will deliver a message on bilateral startup ecosystem cooperation. A delegation of over 20 French startups, including Renault, will also participate.

Hee-chul Jung, Head of KITA’s Overseas Marketing Division, stated that NextRise 2026 will be Asia’s first venue where global AI tech giants converge. He expressed hope that the event will serve as an open innovation platform leading to tangible partnerships and investments.