A Decade with Korean Startups: AI Unlocks the Future

Google for Startups Campus in Samseong-dong, Seoul, successfully hosted the 'Startup AI Festival' on the 17th, commemorating its 10th anniversary and fervently highlighting 'Korean Startup Leadership in the AI Era.' Opened in 2015 as the first of its kind in Asia, the campus has established itself as the heart of Korea's startup ecosystem over the past decade, achieving remarkable results. The campus's track record is astounding. It has attracted investments totaling $1.07 billion (approximately 1.4 trillion Korean Won), created 5,136 direct jobs, and built a vast community of over 50,000 members. Over 2,400 programs and events have provided a solid foundation for domestic startups to make global strides. The event was graced by key domestic and international figures, including Karen Pister, Global Director of Google for Startups; Joy Sakurai, Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Korea; and Im Jung-wook, Director General at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups. The festival kicked off with AI innovation cases presented by WantedLab and Liner, followed by a lively panel discussion titled 'The Future of AI Product Development' featuring Silicon Valley leaders. In particular, exhibition booths by Korean startups leveraging Google's generative AI 'Gemini,' such as AI for Pet and Smoore Talk, garnered immense interest from attendees. Director Karen Pister emphasized, "In the age of AI, Google will be a strong partner, helping Korean entrepreneurs succeed on the global stage through its expertise and global network." Director General Im Jung-wook also stated, "We will actively support AI innovation companies in their global expansion through close cooperation with Google," commending the exemplary achievements of the 'ChangGu' program. Meanwhile, Google announced a 'Startup AI Pocha Tour' that will visit major cities nationwide, including Busan and Gyeongju, from July to September, presenting a vision to expand startup support, currently concentrated in the metropolitan area, nationwide. This is a proactive move to directly disseminate Google's AI technology and startup know-how to local communities, thereby contributing to the revitalization of the nationwide startup ecosystem. Google for Startups Campus is already driving the growth of Korean startups by providing multifaceted support, including technical mentoring, global networking, and cloud support, through programs like the 'AI Academy' and 'AI Startup School.'