Korea SMEs and Startups Agency announced Monday that 14 companies that graduated from the Youth Startup Academy participated in a joint pavilion at the 2026 Industrial AI EXPO, held from Oct. 21 to 23. A graduate company representative demonstrates a product to visitors during the expo. [Korea SMEs and Startups Agency]
Korea SMEs and Startups Agency announced Monday that 14 companies that graduated from the Youth Startup Academy participated in a joint pavilion at the 2026 Industrial AI EXPO, held from Oct. 21 to 23. A graduate company representative demonstrates a product to visitors during the expo. [Korea SMEs and Startups Agency]

Joint pavilion at 2026 Industrial AI EXPO draws 2,634 visitors

834 product consultations held as firms seek to expand domestic and overseas markets

Tech tie-up and supply talks held with Japanese, Indonesian companies

The Korea SMEs and Startups Agency supported 14 companies that graduated from its Youth Startup Academy in participating in an industrial AI exhibition, generating 834 product consultations and identifying 143 potential buyers. Talks on technology tie-ups and local supply arrangements were also held with companies in Japan and Indonesia.

The agency announced Monday that it operated a joint pavilion featuring the 14 graduate companies at the 2026 Industrial AI EXPO, held from Oct. 21 to 23. The exhibition was organized to help early-stage startups with AI-related technologies and products secure potential customers and open new sales channels.

The joint pavilion drew a total of 2,634 visitors over the three-day event. Participating companies conducted 834 product consultations and identified 143 potential buyers — an average of about 60 consultations per company.

Discussions on overseas partnerships also took place. Ogane Program received an inquiry from SANX, based in Tokushima, Japan, about products that could be integrated with existing system users. The company also explored the possibility of a tie-up with the Shikoku IT Cooperative and its 250 partner firms.

Talks were held with Indonesia's ECOTEL on the possibility of signing an MOU for a technology partnership and local supply arrangement. However, no contract or supply deal has been finalized.

Kim Tae-kyung, CEO of participating company Greatbe, said the exhibition allowed the firm to introduce its service to corporate customers and directly gauge demand for AI adoption and the criteria companies consider when implementing it. "We will follow up with the companies we consulted to convert those conversations into actual customer relationships," Kim said.

The Youth Startup Academy provides not only commercialization support to early-stage startups but also continued follow-on support tailored to each company's growth stage after graduation. The exhibition participation was part of a broader effort to help graduate companies enter domestic and overseas markets.

Im Ji-hyeon, head of the Youth Startup Academy at Korea SMEs and Startups Agency, said the agency hopes the exhibition will serve as an opportunity for graduate companies to showcase the competitiveness of their technologies and products and explore new business opportunities. "We will continue to actively support graduate companies in identifying customers at home and abroad and expanding their opportunities for collaboration," Im said.


hong@heraldcorp.com