The 2025 Global DIPS Tech Con, South Korea’s flagship technology forum for deep tech startups, concluded on October 29 after a two-day run at the Walkerhill Hotel in Seoul. The conference, which ran from October 28-29, was jointly organized by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) and the Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development.
Designated as an official side event for APEC Economic Leaders’ Week, the forum attracted more than 2,000 participants from across the startup ecosystem, including domestic and international startups, industry experts, major corporations, public institutions, and venture capitalists. The event’s central objective was to support promising deep tech companies participating in the Super Gap Startup 1000+ initiative, helping them develop new technology strategies and accelerate their international expansion. It also served as a follow-up to the APEC Startup Alliance, a South Korean-led initiative designed to connect startup ecosystems across APEC member nations.
Operating under the theme AX for ALL: AI Transformation Across Nations, the conference featured an extensive program including 13 technology forums, five special sessions, and eight side events.
The opening ceremony featured a keynote address from Jared Quincy Davis, CEO of U.S.-based GPU cloud platform startup Mithril AI. This was followed by a panel discussion with prominent figures from Korea’s AI sector, including representatives from KT, FuriosaAI, and Nota AI.
The 13 technology forums covered 10 emerging industrial sectors, exploring cutting-edge topics ranging from robotics and system semiconductors with emphasis on On-Device AI, to AI applications in bio-health for drug development and cancer surgery. Additional forums examined autonomous driving and the transition to Software-Defined Vehicles, along with sessions on cybersecurity, next-generation nuclear power, and quantum technology.
Several special sessions were designed to facilitate cross-border partnerships. The “APEC Inbound Program” brought together representatives from seven APEC member embassies, including the United States and Japan, who outlined their respective startup support policies. Other highlights included a private investment roadshow meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Investment and a forum dedicated to developing Korea’s indigenous foundational AI models.
The conference also prioritized concrete business outcomes through multiple side events. Open innovation programs facilitated one-on-one matching sessions between startups and major corporations, while promising ventures pitched to investors through IR sessions organized by the Super Gap VC Membership, an investment council specifically focused on funding Super Gap Startup 1000+ participants.
Additional programming included a job fair and public procurement consultations aimed at helping startups secure talent and government contracts.
