📋 Tender Overview
Project No.
SMEWG_08_2026S
Project Title
APEC Corporate-Startup Business Meetup at COMEUP 2026: Advancing AI-driven Open Innovation through the APEC Startup Alliance
Project Status
Project in Implementation
Fund Account
Self-Funded
Project Year
2026
Sponsoring Forum
Small and Medium Enterprises Working Group (SMEWG)
Topics
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
Committee
SOM Steering Committee on Economic and Technical Cooperation (SCE)
Other Fora Involved
Other Non-APEC Stakeholders Involved
Proposing Economy(ies)
Korea
Co-Sponsoring Economies
Expected Start Date
01/08/2026
Expected Completion Date
28/02/2027
Project Proponent Name 1
Minyoung Yeo
Job Title 1
Coordinator, APEC SME Innovation Center
Organization 1
Korea SMEs & Startups Agency (KOSME)
Telephone 1
+82-2-322-6128
Email 1
ymy13@kosmes.or.kr
Project Proponent Name 2
Not Applicable
Job Title 2
Not Applicable
Organization 2
Not Applicable
Telephone 2
Not Applicable
Email 2
Not Applicable
Declaration
Minyoung Yeo
Project Cost (US$)
$60,000.00
Project Summary
Following the Launch Ceremony of the APEC Startup Alliance (ASTAA) in Seoul, May 2026, there is a growing need among APEC member economies to translate startup ecosystem connectivity into practical business outcomes. While startups are increasingly seeking overseas expansion opportunities, many continue to face challenges in accessing trusted business networks, corporate partners and market opportunities across the APEC region. To address this gap, Korea proposes the APEC Corporate-Startup Business Meetup at COMEUP 2026: Advancing AI-driven Open Innovation through the APEC Startup Alliance, to be held at COEX in Seoul. The project will bring together AI-enabled startups with strong cross-border growth potential, corporations, investors, startup associations, accelerators, and public institutions from APEC member economies to facilitate cross-border collaboration and market access. Through AI-focused business matching, open innovation sessions, networking activities, and ecosystem dialogue, the project will strengthen startup-corporate partnerships, advance the implementation of ASTAA, and promote innovation-driven growth and regional economic cooperation across APEC economies.
