The working session between Vietnamese Consul General Doan Phuong Lan and Kim Yong Woo, Chief Executive Officer of the Busan CCEI, focused on practical measures to support startups, including identifying market demand, finding business partners, conducting technology proof-of-concept (PoC) projects, validating products and connecting with investors.

The Consulate General reaffirmed its readiness to serve as a bridge linking Korean startups with Vietnamese ministries, local authorities, innovation centers, universities, investment funds and the business community.

The Busan CCEI is a public startup support organization designated by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups of the RoK to coordinate the development of the startup and innovation ecosystem in Busan and nearby areas.

A key proposal discussed at the meeting was a global acceleration programme to support 20 technology startups from southeastern RoK in entering the Vietnamese market. Besides participating in exhibitions and business meetings, the startups will be linked with production facilities in Vietnam to carry out PoC projects, assess product suitability, seek investment and commercialize their technologies.

The participating startups are scheduled to attend InnoEX 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City, where they will present their projects, meet investors, consult with potential customers and learn more about Vietnam's startup ecosystem.

The two sides also consented to gradually establish a regular network linking startups, investors, universities and businesses in both countries, helping the RoK startups access the Vietnamese market while creating more opportunities for Vietnamese startups to connect with technology, investment and business networks in Busan.

With its dynamic market, a rapidly developing innovation ecosystem and a strategic regional location, Vietnam is expected to become a destination for RoK startups and a strategic bridge for companies expanding across Southeast Asia.

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