Korean Startups Drive Innovation at Japan IT Week 2024 with KDB NextONE Program Support

Seven dynamic South Korean startups showcased their cutting-edge solutions on October 21, 2024, ahead of Japan IT Week (October 23-25). These startups, cultivated under the prestigious KDB NextONE program, demonstrated their potential to disrupt global industries while engaging in 34 successful meetings with investors and industry leaders on October 21, at Shibuya Open Innovation Lab in Tokyo. Backed by the KDB Development Bank, these trailblazing ventures highlighted Korea’s growing influence in the global tech ecosystem, with innovations that span AI, blockchain, and sustainability-driven solutions.

Highlights of the Event

The event on October 21 featured a focused agenda:

14:00–14:30: Opening Session
14:30–18:00: Business Meet-up

The participating startups showcased diverse and impactful solutions, ranging from AI-driven automation to cutting-edge blockchain platforms. Some of the standout innovations included:

Infiniteblock: A secure blockchain custody platform for businesses, empowering institutions with robust digital asset management.
Bitsensing: Imaging radar technology for healthcare and smart cities, offering camera-free sleep monitoring solutions.
Dareesoft: AI-powered road management systems that enhance road safety through automated hazard detection.
Lionrocket: Genvas, a generative AI-powered solution transforming the webtoon production process.
Inshorts: Solutions like AI Superscaler for video enhancement and AI-driven product placement for seamless integration.
Impactive AI: A decision-support system optimizing product lifecycles with predictive analytics.
Tilda: ArgMax, an AI-driven platform optimizing facility operations for sustainability and efficiency.

Building Strategic Bridges

Prior to the exhibition, the Korean delegation engaged in exploratory meetings on October 21-22, laying the foundation for potential partnerships with Japanese corporations. These discussions underscored the importance of cross-border collaboration, with both sides identifying synergies that promise mutual growth.

One of the event’s highlights were meetings with an esteemed panel of industry leaders, who played a critical role in guiding the startups. These industry leaders included:

Hirofumi Senzaki from Asahi Interactive
Hyoungmoon Kim from furuCRM
Yohichi Sakagawa from Global Brain
Shuhei Ueda from H2 Interactive, Inc.
Keisuke Kadotani and Yoshiki Enohara from MicroAd
Yuya Matsubuchi from MTG Ventures
Ricky Kim (金昌鎭) from NEXFI株式会社
Robin Birtle from Prymarbi
Jinya Nakamura from Sourcing Brothers
Takuto Takizawa from Stability AI

Their insights were instrumental in refining the startups’ global strategies and aligning their solutions with market demands.

A Milestone for Korean Startups

The startups’ participation in Japan IT Week was not only a platform to showcase their innovations but also a gateway to the Japanese market and beyond. The event reaffirmed KDB Development Bank’s commitment to empowering startups with the tools, networks, and resources necessary for global success.

As these startups prepare to build on the momentum gained, their journey reflects the strength of Korea’s innovation ecosystem and its potential to make a lasting impact on the global tech stage.

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