KOCCA LAUNCHPAD UAE 2025 — organized by the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) in collaboration with Cuvee April and Plug and Play Korea, and supported by media partners KoreaTechDesk and AsiaTechDaily — will showcase Korea’s leading innovations in Dubai this September.
KOCCA, a government-affiliated organization under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, has served for over two decades as Korea’s gateway for advancing creative industries abroad. Its portfolio spans AI, XR and immersive media, smart tourism, gaming, music tech, and cultural exports, helping Korean startups secure footholds in global markets.
When KOCCA leads companies overseas, participants are government-vetted for quality, scalability, and credibility. These startups are beyond experimental concepts, but proven businesses generating revenue in competitive markets. Each arrives prepared for localization, supported by follow-up programs and dedicated resources designed to ensure adaptation, long-term growth, and meaningful collaboration in new environments.
Dubai’s Opportunity: Market-Ready Solutions in AI, Immersive Content, and Smart Tourism
The MENA region is entering a new phase of growth in digital transformation, experiential retail, AI-powered infrastructure, and cultural tourism innovation.
KOCCA LAUNCHPAD UAE 2025 brings ten Korean companies with proven track records in exactly these fields—offering buyers, investors, and industry leaders the chance to secure first-mover advantage in deploying these solutions across the UAE and beyond.
This event creates a space where meaningful conversations and genuine connections can lead to collaborations, including exploring a pilot project, sharing market insights, or building trust for future ventures.
Event Snapshot
KOCCA Launchpad UAE 2025 will take place in Dubai from September 7 to 12, 2025, with the basecamp venue to be announced. The program will bring together 10 Korean startups alongside Dubai’s buyers, investors, industry leaders, and government stakeholders, creating a dynamic platform for cross-border collaboration and market expansion.
Core Activities
September 8 & 10 (2:00–5:00 PM) — Media Rotana Dubai, Barsha Heights
Deep-dive 1:1 matched business meetings with networking refreshments, focused on targeted partnership and procurement discussions.
September 11 (2:00–5:00 PM) — Fairmont Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Rd – Trade Centre 1, Dubai
Investor IR Pitch & Demo Day for venture capital, corporate innovation, and strategic investors, followed by a catered networking reception.
Throughout the Week
Live pitch sessions, sector-focused networking, startup showcases, and local company visits.
Three Strategic Industry Clusters of Korea’s Innovations
The program highlights startups across three industry clusters, offering Dubai stakeholders an integrated view of how Korea’s innovations align with local demand and create pathways for cross-sector collaboration.
1. Immersive Media & Cultural Experience – Transforming Retail, Tourism & Luxury Destinations
ARO Thinking – Headset-free immersive learning combining VR/AR, robotics, and gamification. Proven $5.63M revenue in 2024 and strong government recognition.
Beaver Block – Gamified storytelling platform with AI personalization and 50+ licensed IPs for children, delivering exceptional engagement and retention.
CUZ – Premium media art and visual meditation platform with 1,000+ original IPs, designed to enhance emotional wellness in luxury and cultural spaces.
Sharebox – Full-service XR content studio delivering projection mapping, live motion capture, and sensory experiences, with global luxury brand experience.
Skywalk – AI-powered virtual communities for women blending fashion, lifestyle, and gaming, with 5M+ users and strong engagement potential.
2. AI-Powered Industry & Infrastructure Solutions – Driving Safety, Automation & Operational Intelligence
Ehan Creative — AI-powered safety training simulations delivering a 93% improvement in risk assessments, scalable for industrial and high-risk sectors.
Langcode — No-code AI bot platform with GDPR/AI Act compliance, trusted by global brands like Mercedes-Benz and Chanel to accelerate enterprise automation.
PIAspace — Real-time AI video analytics for anomaly detection, improving safety and infrastructure monitoring for airports, logistics hubs, and smart cities.
3. Smart Tourism, Music & Lifestyle Platforms – Connecting Communities & Enriching Experiences
CreativeMind — AI-powered music creation platform with smart piano hardware, enabling interactive performances for hospitality, retail, and cultural venues.
Tripsoda — Community-driven travel platform connecting travelers and creating shared adventure experiences, with strong growth and tourism alignment.
Why This Lineup Works for Dubai
The lineup brings together immersive content leaders who can power next-generation shopping malls, museums, and cultural attractions, alongside AI specialists delivering immediate impact in safety, efficiency, and smart city infrastructure.
At the same time, tourism and lifestyle platforms are designed to enhance visitor engagement and cultural appeal.
This mix ensures that a luxury retail group, a government tourism board, and a smart city developer could all leave the same meeting with actionable partnerships.
KOCCA LAUNCHPAD UAE 2025: More Than Your Regular Business Conventions
Designed with low-pressure business environment, KOCCA LAUNCHPAD UAE 2025 is where conversations naturally open doors to opportunities. Participants will gain access to both business leaders and cultural influencers, expanding their network across multiple spheres of collaboration.
Beyond formal meetings, shared experiences—such as catered receptions and local industry visits—are designed to build stronger, trust-based relationships that can carry into long-term partnerships.
In just one afternoon, a luxury retail group, a tourism authority, and a smart city developer could each uncover complementary opportunities—without the pressure of closing a deal on the spot.
Measurable Outcomes Beyond the Event
Beyond its relationship-building core, KOCCA LAUNCHPAD UAE 2025 is also designed to deliver measurable outcomes.
Participating companies are expected to finalize signed MOUs and pilot agreements, launch UAE-based collaborations and new products, as well as establish distribution or licensing partnerships. The program also opens pathways for joint ventures and co-investments with regional stakeholders.
Ultimately, select companies may receive a government-backed Dubai Localization Voucher, offering dedicated support to establish and expand their presence in the UAE. This will ensure that the company will remain long-term, committed partners beyond the event.
Recommended Attendee Profiles & Why You Should Attend
KOCCA LAUNCHPAD UAE 2025 is designed as a welcoming space where you can explore opportunities, spark new ideas, and build meaningful connections—without pressure, only possibilities.
Venture capital and private equity firms will find ten pre-vetted, revenue-generating startups already poised for MENA expansion, offering a chance to engage with investment opportunities at their own pace.
Corporate innovation teams and technology companies can discover market-ready solutions and potential partners for co-development, integration, and joint entry into the region.
Tourism boards and government agencies will see new approaches to boost tourism, cultural engagement, and smart city initiatives, while real estate developers can explore immersive content and infrastructure solutions to enhance future projects.
Hospitality and F&B groups are invited to experience creative concepts that elevate guest satisfaction and brand value, while retail and shopping mall operators can learn how interactive cultural content drives stronger visitor loyalty.
Entertainment and event managers will gain access to high-impact creative technologies for activations, while fashion and lifestyle brands can explore immersive digital engagement strategies for growth.
Educational institutions and EdTech providers will also discover future-ready learning tools that make education more interactive and inspiring.
And beyond these sectors, anyone interested in innovation, technology, or cross-border collaboration is warmly welcome to join the conversation.
Exclusive Benefits for Participants
All registered participants of KOCCA LAUNCHPAD UAE 2025 will gain access to a set of exclusive benefits designed to extend value far beyond the event itself.
Exclusive Insight Report
One of the key resources is the exclusive insight report, “Korea Innovation Landscape 2025 – AI, XR, Smart Tourism & Lifestyle”, published in collaboration with KoreaTechDesk. This report highlights Korea’s proven business models, their scalability across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), and sector-specific collaboration opportunities tailored for Dubai.
Attendees will leave with not only knowledge but also actionable insights and strategic data that can directly inform market entry, localization, and long-term partnership strategies.
Media Exposure Across the Middle East & Asia
In addition, participants will receive media exposure across the Middle East and Asia, supported by media partners KoreaTechDesk and AsiaTechDaily.
Dubai-based buyers, investors, and industry leaders joining the program will see their brands and achievements highlighted through collaboration stories, participant interviews, and official press releases.
This ensures that visibility extends well beyond Dubai, amplifying recognition across Korea and Asia while creating a pathway to international growth and credibility.
Event Highlights in Pictures
To give you a feel for the energy and atmosphere, here are moments from LAUNCHPAD Japan, a previous KOCCA program, showing the type of business engagement and pitching sessions you can expect in Dubai.
📍Business Meetings
[ LAUNCHPAD JAPAN 2024 – B2B Matchmaking ]
📍Investor Pitching Sessions
[ LAUNCHPAD JAPAN 2024 – IR Pitch Day ]
How to Attend
Attendance is available by invitation and registration. Interested participants can coordinate directly with the KOCCA LAUNCHPAD UAE 2025 organizing team for tailored participation arrangements.
Alternatively, individuals may also apply through the official event page via the online registration system:
Contact for Participation & Meetings
Heesun Kim, CEO – [email protected] (LinkedIn)
Direct Inquiries via Official WhatsApp: +971 55 215 3228
AI, XR, Smart Tourism, Lifestyle — Ten Proven Innovators. One Week in Dubai
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