Seven trailblazing Korean startups, selected by the Korea Software Industry Association (KOSA), took center stage at the K-GovTech Roadshow on October 22, 2024, hosted at Shibuya Soil, Tokyo. This two-day event, designed as a precursor to Japan IT Week (October 23-25, 2024), successfully connected Korea’s most innovative startups with key Japanese investors, corporate leaders, and other stakeholders, fostering collaboration and paving the way for long-term partnerships.
Strengthening Korea-Japan Tech Collaboration
The K-GovTech Roadshow 2024 underscored its role as a catalyst for deeper ties between Korea and Japan in the GovTech and broader tech ecosystems. Over 37 high-value business meetings took place, where Korean startups showcased their revolutionary technologies, explored investment opportunities, and navigated pathways into the Japanese market.
Key program highlights included:
- Exclusive Buyer & Investor Meetings: Participating startups engaged directly with Japanese investors and buyers to explore funding and collaboration opportunities.
- Networking Opportunities: A platform for high-level exchanges between startups, Japanese corporates, and government representatives to promote mutual growth.
Program Details
Event Schedule:
- 10:00–10:30: Morning Session Opening
- 10:30–12:30: Business Meetup (4 sessions, 30 mins each)
- 12:30–13:30: Lunch Break
- 13:30–14:00: Afternoon Session Opening
- 14:00–16:00: Business Meetup (4 sessions, 30 mins each)
Key Highlights:
- Attended Investors & Buyers:
- Satoshi Noda, CEO of Appsule
- Jonathan Hwaseong Jeon, CEO of CNT Tech
- Yuta Suwa, CEO of Cory
- SeokJong Kim, KDB NextONE Team leader of KDB Bank
- Raymond Wu, AI/ML Designer from Nagoya University
- Ricky Kim, CEO of NEXFI
- Kan Notoya, Founder/CEO of Novel Journey
- Takashi Yamamoto, CAO of Plus Zero
- Tomonori Yoshimura, Venture Capitalist from SBI Investment
- Ryosuke Tanatsugu, Consultant from Sourcing Brothers
- Takashi Kato, Managing Partner of TeeEs
- Mayumi Shinya, Country Manager of Voithru Japan
- Meetings Held: 37 successful B2B sessions conducted.
Pioneering Korean Startups at the Forefront
The following seven startups represented the cutting edge of Korean innovation at the K-GovTech Pavilion:
- emCT Co., Ltd.: Redefining facility management with IoT-based solutions, emCT’s AIoT technology offers real-time monitoring and remote control, deployed in over 600 locations.
- LBS Tech: Enhancing urban accessibility, their social mapping platform provides real-time data on accessible routes, particularly benefiting individuals with disabilities.
- NEWNOP: An AI-powered leader in construction technology, specializing in ground subsidence predictions and safety enhancements for large-scale projects.
- ANNA Inc.: Delivering AI-driven software verification tools, ensuring technical integrity and disaster safety compliance.
- DABLE: Addressing reproductive healthcare with their AI-powered D-Planet platform, which improves infertility treatment success rates.
- MEDIAIPLUS: Simplifying clinical trial processes with big data-driven tools that improve the efficiency of trial management.
- Lumos: Offering SaaS-based R&D expense management solutions, automating documentation workflows to enhance innovation.
Comprehensive Program & Follow-Up Sessions
The roadshow followed a structured agenda, including eight dedicated business meetings per startup over two sessions, complemented by networking breaks. Looking ahead, follow-up online mentoring sessions have been scheduled:
- NEWNOP with Zak Murase (AZCA, Inc.) — November 19, 2024.
- Lumos with Amanda Umezono (W Inc.) — November 20, 2024.
- DABLE with Ikuo Hiraishi (DreamVision Inc.) — November 24, 2024.
Stepping into Japan IT Week 2024
With a strong foundation laid during the roadshow, these startups captivated the broader audience at Japan IT Week. Positioned in the K-GovTech Pavilion, they aim to extend their reach, secure new business opportunities, and establish a strong foothold in the Japanese market.
The K-GovTech Startup Support Program continues its commitment to fostering innovation and facilitating international market access for Korean startups. By connecting promising companies with global opportunities, K-GovTech not only enhances Korea’s digital government vision but also empowers startups to lead in technological advancements.
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