The Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI, President & CEO Marie Antonia von Schönburg), in partnership with Infineon Technologies and the Korea International Trade Association (KITA), will host the Korea-Germany Connect: AI Startup Pitching Challenge 2026 on July 15 at KITA Startup Branch in Seoul, providing high-potential Korean AI startups with a gateway to the German and European markets and a chance to present on the APK 2026 stage.
As part of KGCCI's startup initiative, Korea-Germany Connect, the competition aims to strengthen links between Korea's vibrant innovation ecosystem and German and European business networks. Five selected AI startups will pitch their technologies and business models before a distinguished jury comprising representatives from the German Embassy Seoul, KITA, Infineon Technologies, AUMOVIO, Mercedes-Benz and The Korea Herald.
Finalists will be evaluated across key criteria including technology and innovation, market potential and traction, Germany and EU market fit, business model sustainability, relevance for corporate use cases, team capability, and overall readiness for international business engagement.
The winning startup will receive a unique opportunity to pitch live on the main stage of the 19th Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business (APK 2026), to be held in Seoul from October 29 to 31. The conference is expected to convene around 1,000 high-level leaders from business, government, and academia across Asia and Germany, including the German Chancellor and the Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, making APK one of the region’s premier platforms for German-Asian business dialogue and cooperation.
In addition, the winner will be invited to exclusive evening networking events during APK, providing valuable opportunities to connect with senior executives and decision-makers from Germany and across the region.
All five finalists will receive one year of complimentary KGCCI membership and invitations to selected KGCCI networking events, further strengthening their access to the Korean-German business community.
Marie Antonia von Schönburg, President and CEO of KGCCI, said, “South Korea is home to some of the world's most dynamic AI startups. For one of them, the “Korea-Germany Connect: AI Startup Pitching Challenge” will be a gateway to APK 2026. We hope to highlight Korea's innovative strength and further strengthen ties between the Korean and German business communities by giving a Korean AI startup the opportunity to present to around 1,000 leaders from business, government and academia.”
APK 2026 will take place in Seoul from October 29 to 31, 2026. Held every two years, APK is the premier platform for economic dialogue between Germany and the Asia-Pacific region. The conference brings together approximately 1,000 senior leaders from business, politics, and academia to discuss strategic opportunities and strengthen partnerships across the region.
