KGCCI to Host 'AI Startup Pitching Challenge' to Select Startups for European Expansion

Five Finalists to Compete in Technological Excellence Winning Startup to Pitch Live at 'APK 2026' in October

The Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI) announced on July 6 that it will host the "Korea-Germany Connect: AI Startup Pitching Challenge 2026" at the Korea International Trade Association's Startup Branch, located at COEX in Seoul, on July 15.

This event, sponsored by German semiconductor company Infineon Technologies and co-organized by the Korea International Trade Association, aims to discover domestic AI startups with high potential to enter the German and European markets. It is being held as part of KGCCI’s startup initiative, "KG Connect (Korea-Germany Connect)," with the goal of strengthening connections between Korea’s dynamic innovation ecosystem and the German and European business networks.

The five finalists will present their technological capabilities and business models before a global panel of judges made up of representatives from the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Korea, the Korea International Trade Association, Infineon Technologies, Aumobio Korea, Mercedes-Benz Korea, and The Korea Herald.

The main judging criteria are: technological capability and innovation, market potential and business performance, suitability for the German and European (EU) markets, revenue model sustainability, potential for collaboration with global corporations, and team competence. The startup that wins the final award will earn a live pitching opportunity on the main stage of the "19th Asia-Pacific German Business Conference (APK 2026)" to be held in Seoul from October 29 to 31. APK 2026 is attended by around 1,000 high-level figures from the economic, governmental, and academic sectors of Asia and Germany, including the German Chancellor and the Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, and is recognized as one of the most influential platforms for German business exchange in the region.

The winning company will also be invited to a private evening networking event during the conference period, providing an opportunity to interact with key executives and decision-makers from major companies in Germany and the Asia-Pacific region. In addition, all five finalists will receive a one-year free membership to KGCCI and invitations to key events.

Marie Antonia von Schönburg, CEO of KGCCI, stated, "Korea is home to the world's most dynamic AI startups, and the 'Korea-Germany Connect: AI Startup Pitching Challenge' is more than a competition—it is a gateway leading to APK 2026. By providing Korean AI startups with the opportunity to present in front of approximately 1,000 influential figures from various sectors, we aim to showcase Korea’s innovative capabilities and further strengthen the ties between the Korean and German business communities."

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