The 3rd NextRise Awards, part of Asia's leading innovation expo held in Seoul on June 26-27, 2025, recognized 30 startups from over 700 applicants, with winners like Mediwhale, specializing in AI retinal diagnostics, and UEL, a lunar robotics company, showcasing diverse international innovation.

Top executives from global innovation events such as VivaTech, IFA, and MWC gathered in Seoul to discuss strengthening international cooperation within innovation ecosystems through exhibitions, conferences, and forums.

These discussions fostered strategic collaborations among startups, corporates, and venture capitalists, emphasizing the event's role in promoting global innovation networks.

Germany was the featured country, with a delegation led by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, including representatives from major companies like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Lufthansa, participating in forums and seminars to explore collaborations with Korean firms.

The event showcased a broad spectrum of innovative companies across sectors such as robotics, mobility, healthcare, sustainability, content tech, and ICT services from Korea and around the world.

Over 3,600 one-on-one meetings took place between 250 corporations/investors and 1,100 startups from 28 countries, highlighting the event's significance as a global platform for fostering international startup collaborations.

Attended by over 20,000 entrepreneurs, investors, and global corporate representatives, NextRise 2025 served as Asia's premier innovation expo, emphasizing the transformation of ideas into industries amid challenges in AI, deep-tech, and green transition.

KITA Chairman Yoon Jin-sik delivered keynote remarks emphasizing the expo's role in fostering innovation, transforming ideas into industries, and addressing opportunities and challenges in AI, deep-tech, and sustainability.

Award-winning startups received support for international expansion through programs sponsored by AWS and NAVER Cloud, aimed at boosting global growth and technological advancement.