Seoul bets big on global startup platform as AI reshapes industries

Seoul will host Try Everything 2026, its flagship global startup festival, on Sept. 9-10 at Dongdaemun Design Plaza, aiming to connect domestic entrepreneurs with international investors and tech leaders. The city's startup ecosystem has grown by over $100 billion in seven years, driven by a skilled workforce, digital infrastructure, and government support, maintaining its top-10 global ranking.

Over the past seven years, Seoul’s startup ecosystem has ballooned in value by more than $100 billion, generating tens of thousands of high-paying jobs and cementing the Korean capital as a premier global hub for innovation. Now, the city is preparing to showcase that explosive growth on the world stage. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Monday that it will host Try Everything 2026, its flagship global startup festival, from Sept. 9-10 at Dongdaemun Design Plaza. The event is designed to connect domestic entrepreneurs with international investors, corporate giants and tech innovators. According to Startup Genome, a global policy advisory and research firm, Seoul has maintained its position as a top-10 startup ecosystem globally. The rapid ascent is driven by a highly educated engineering workforce, world-class digital infrastructure and aggressive government backing, including the creation of the Seoul Vision 2030 Fund and expansive open-innovation initiatives. This year’s festival, operating under the slogan “AI Changes Everything, Now Try Everything,” reflects a strategic