Korea Startup Forum Discusses Bilateral Startup Support Cooperation with Vietnam

by Lee Sungmin

Pubilshed 12 Aug.2025 08:38(KST)

"An Important Step Toward Expanding the Global Network"

The Korea Startup Forum announced on the 12th that it has pledged to cooperate with Vietnam's National Innovation Center (NIC) to build an innovative startup ecosystem between the two countries.

The Korea Startup Forum and NIC discussed measures to activate exchanges between Korean and Vietnamese startups and expand the global ecosystem at Maru180 in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. The meeting was attended by Choi Jiyeong, Executive Director of the Korea Startup Forum; Lee Hyunjae, Chairman of the External Policy Subcommittee of the Korea Startup Forum (and CEO of YesFuture); and Vu Quoc Huy, Director of NIC.

The Korea Startup Forum and NIC discussed cooperation measures to activate exchanges between Korean and Vietnamese startups and expand the global ecosystem at Maru180 in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Korea Startup Forum

The two sides, as key institutions supporting startups in their respective countries, focused on discussing the potential for cooperation between the Korean and Vietnamese startup ecosystems. The Korea Startup Forum explained its investment and development policies for domestic startups, including the global startup festival "COMEUP" and the "KOSPO Business Trip" program supporting startups' global expansion. As an example of a Korean startup entering the Vietnamese market, they introduced the business model of "VIVISA," a platform for international students and workers operated by YesFuture. NIC, in turn, proposed various future collaboration programs for Korean startups.

The Korea Startup Forum stated, "This discussion is particularly meaningful as it coincided with the summit between President Lee Jaemyung and To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, held on the 11th." The forum added, "As NIC visited Korea as part of the Vietnam-Korea summit delegation and requested a visit to the Korea Startup Forum, this meeting symbolically demonstrates the forum's mission to support the global advancement of Korean startups."

Choi Jiyeong, Executive Director of the Korea Startup Forum, said, "This meeting marks an important step in expanding the global network pursued by the Korea Startup Forum, while also creating practical exchanges and joint programs for Korean and Vietnamese startups to grow together." She added, "We will continue to help Korean startups actively enter the ASEAN market, including Vietnam, and at the same time establish a virtuous cycle by attracting global startups to the domestic market."