In a bid to foster the growth of startups, the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) unveiled the finalists for the inaugural NextRise 2023 Awards. This prestigious award, part of the largest global startup fair in South Korea, aims to provide efficient support for overseas expansion and development.
Out of a total of 332 startups that applied during the month of April, 14 exceptional finalists were chosen based on their technological advancements, corporate competence, marketability, and growth potential in industries such as AI, robotics, bio, and eco-friendly sectors. Notably, two overseas startups, FTD Solutions from the USA and Kabuk from Japan, were recognized for their outstanding contributions.
These 14 winning companies will have the privilege to present their ventures on the main stage of the NextRise 2023 Awards Ceremony be featured on the official NextRise website, and prominently display their achievements at participating booths. Additionally, they will receive various. benefits to support their business growth.
The competition will move forward as the 14 winners compete for the coveted titles of the Grand Innovation Prize, Best Innovation Prize, and Innovation Prize. Distinguished representatives from major domestic venture capital firms, conglomerates, and unicorns will conduct the final evaluation and announce the top 4 companies at the official awards ceremony to be held on June 1st at COEX.
The top 4 companies selected will gain exclusive access to ‘Dreamforce,’ the world’s largest IT conference, held in San Francisco, USA. This prestigious event will provide invaluable networking opportunities and exposure to global technology trends for more than 200,000 attendees both online and offline.
JEONG Marn-ki, Vice President of KITA and the visionary behind the NextRise Awards, expressed his enthusiasm for the program, stating, “The overwhelming interest and participation from startups in the first NextRise Awards exceeded our expectations. We firmly believe that NextRise will serve as a gateway for innovative startups with cutting-edge technologies and immense potential to shine on the world stage.”
