KOTRA Supports K-Startups at Europe's Largest Tech Exhibition 'Web Summit'

Participating Startups Hold Consultations with Over 500 Investors and Buyers

A domestic startup is presenting to European investors at the Web Summit Korea Pavilion pitching event on the 4th (local time). / Provided by KOTRA

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Pyeonghwa] The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) participated in the 'Web Summit' held in Lisbon, Portugal from the 1st to the 4th of this month in collaboration with the Korea Credit Guarantee Fund, operating a Korean Pavilion composed of 12 domestic startups. The Web Summit is Europe's largest tech exhibition, now in its 13th year. It attracted over 70,000 visitors and 2,000 startups from more than 160 countries.

KOTRA organized the Korean Pavilion with 12 innovative technology companies engaged in businesses such as ▲online platform services ▲artificial intelligence (AI) solutions ▲autonomous driving ▲drone solutions, enabling product demonstrations and consultations. To provide participating companies with more networking opportunities, about 500 investors and buyers from Europe, including Spain, were invited to the Korean Pavilion. At this event, Portugal's largest energy company EDP and Spain's largest financial institution CaixaBank discussed various cooperation opportunities with the Korean Pavilion participants.

The companies at the Korean Pavilion also took part in the exhibition's main programs, promoting themselves to around 1,000 investors. Four companies advanced to the PITCH competition, a pitching contest where only 105 startups worldwide are given the opportunity to participate, including a company developing non-contact biometric signal measurement technology and another developing self-cleaning glass. Additionally, five companies were selected for the startup showcase aimed at investors and local media, where they promoted their technological capabilities in a special format by presenting for two minutes without any presentation materials.

An Youngju, head of KOTRA's Madrid Trade Center, said, "The innovative technologies of domestic startups showcased at Europe's largest tech exhibition received a positive response from European investors," adding, "We will continue to provide support even after the exhibition ends to help our companies achieve tangible results."

Meanwhile, in line with the organizer's 'paperless exhibition' policy, KOTRA conducted promotional activities for the 2030 Busan World Expo bid using electronic images and other media targeting key business visitors to the Korean Pavilion.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.