The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) announced that it hosted the Korea-China Venture Startup Summit on Wednesday in Shanghai, bringing together policymakers, entrepreneurs, and investors from both countries to strengthen cooperation across the venture and startup ecosystem.
 
Held at the Shanghai International Convention Center, the Summit was organized on the occasion of President Lee Jae Myung’s state visit to China. The event aimed to translate the momentum of summit-level diplomacy into practical collaboration between Korean and Chinese startups, while laying the groundwork for Korean companies seeking to enter the Chinese market.
 
The program featured a series of interconnected sessions, including a Korea-China Startup Dialogue, a bilateral Investment Conference, and a Business Meetup, alongside a technology and product showcase by leading Korean startups interested in expanding into China.
 
The main session, attended by around 400 participants from government, startups, venture capital firms, and large enterprises, centered on a dialogue titled “Korea-China Startup Ecosystem: Beyond Connectivity, Toward Mutual Growth.” Founders and investors from both countries took the stage to exchange perspectives on ecosystem development and future cooperation.
 
Participation included senior executives from prominent Korean and Chinese startups and investment institutions, who shared first-hand experiences of operating across borders and discussed opportunities for joint growth. Speakers highlighted the complementary strengths of the two ecosystems, underscoring the importance of talent exchange, technology collaboration, and long-term partnership building between Korea and China.
 
The Startup Dialogue was structured around two themes: strengthening ecosystem connectivity and translating that connectivity into sustainable, shared growth. Speakers from companies operating actively in both markets described how cross-border collaboration has accelerated innovation, while others emphasized the need for deeper links between Korean technical talent and China’s large-scale market and investment base. From an investor perspective, Chinese venture capital representatives outlined the competitive advantages of Korean startups and shared plans to expand bilateral investment through global funds.
 
The Summit also featured a Korea-China Investment Conference, attended by around 100 participants, including senior officials from MSS and leading venture capital firms from both countries. The conference program included briefings on Asian investment trends, startup IR sessions focused on the Korean and Chinese markets, and a panel discussion on future cooperation. A key highlight was the signing ceremony for a new Korea-China global venture fund, under which Korea’s Fund of Funds will commit USD 10 million toward a USD 25 million fund managed by a Chinese investment partner. The fund is expected to invest significantly in Korean startups while serving as a bridge for their expansion into China.
 
In addition, the Korea-China Business Meetup provided a platform for practical business engagement between startups and investors. Around 150 participants took part in IR sessions, networking events, and one-on-one business matching meetings. The program is expected to help Korean startups identify local partners in China and explore opportunities for joint project and technology collaboration.
 
The venue also featured an exhibition zone, where ten promising Korean startups presented innovative technologies and products to Chinese investors and corporate partners. The exhibition attracted strong interest from participants, while a Shanghai-based Chinese robotics company further drew attention by presenting a humanoid robot, highlighting the depth and diversity of innovation across both ecosystems.
 
Minister Han Seong-sook said that the Summit “translated the cooperative momentum created through summit-level diplomacy into concrete collaboration among startups and venture investors,” adding that “the Ministry will continue to support Korean and Chinese venture startups as they grow together and expand into global markets.”
 
MSS expects the Summit to serve as a practical foundation for sustained Korea-China cooperation in venture investment and startup innovation, contributing to deeper ecosystem linkages and shared growth in the years ahead.
 

For more news and updates on Korea’s SME and startup policies, follow the Ministry’s official LinkedIn page: Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Republic of Korea, 대한민국 중소벤처기업부