The Korea Industrial Complex Corporation (KICOX) announced on September 23 that the 2nd Korea Industrial Complex Export Fair (KICEF 2026) and KICXUP GLOBAL 2026, a global open innovation event, successfully concluded after generating significant results in export consultations, investment, and business cooperation.

Held from September 14 to 16 at EXCO in Daegu, KICEF 2026 featured a Global Buyer One-on-One Export Consultation Program, which brought together 102 overseas buyers from 19 countries and 250 Korean companies. A total of 1,091 export consultations were conducted, generating approximately $332 million in potential business. Of this amount, contracts worth approximately $106 million are expected to be finalized in the future.

The event also resulted in 15 business agreements worth a combined $5.4 million. Compared with last year's figures of eight agreements worth $800,000, the number of agreements increased by approximately 88%, while the total value grew 6.75-fold.

Held alongside the export consultation program, KICXUP GLOBAL 2026 brought together domestic demand-side companies, including HD Hyundai Samho and Sealink, as well as overseas investors such as New Energy Nexus in the United States and Simsan Ventures in the United Kingdom. In total, approximately 200 companies participated, including 45 domestic and international demand-side companies, venture capital firms, and buyers, along with around 150 startups.

At the Global Open Innovation Meetup Lounge, 143 one-on-one business meetings were held throughout the event. The meetings resulted in five proposals for network expansion, 10 proof-of-concept (PoC) opportunities, 11 discussions on follow-up investment and guarantees, and four proposals for business collaboration.

The main exhibition hall, the KICXUP Showcase, featured innovative products from 30 outstanding companies. At the IR Stage, 28 startups participated in pitching sessions. Among them, 10 companies, including MarinaChain, Lumos, and Naeil Sajang, were selected as Outstanding Startups and will receive additional points in future evaluations for PoC funding support.

Lee Sang-hoon, President and CEO of KICOX, said, “This event demonstrated the potential for technologies and products developed by companies in industrial complexes to lead not only to exports, but also to investment and technological cooperation. We will continue to build a global business platform that connects each region’s specialized industries and outstanding companies with global markets, carrying forward the vision of ‘Local Strength to the Future, Corporate Challenges to the World.’”

Established in 1964, KICOX is a public institution established under the Act on the Promotion of Industrial Cluster Development and Factory Establishment to develop and manage industrial complexes, support companies in their industrial activities, and promote industry-academia cooperation. Its headquarters are located in Daegu Innovation City.

Source : https://www.ekn.kr/web/view.php?key=20260923028308535