Promising startups based in Seoul secured more than 300 business meetings and six memorandums of understanding (MOUs) at “VivaTech 2026,” Europe’s largest startup and tech exhibition. These results were achieved through the “Seoul Integrated Pavilion,” organized for the first time by the Seoul Business Agency (SBA), which plans to continue operating the integrated pavilion next year.

SBA is a Seoul Metropolitan Government-funded organization established to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups in Seoul and to foster the city’s future industrial ecosystem.

SBA announced on the 9th that it had operated the Seoul Integrated Pavilion together with the “Seoul AI Hub” at “VivaTech 2026,” held from the 17th to the 20th of last month at Expo Porte de Versailles in Paris, France.

The integrated exhibition pavilion, in which 20 promising Seoul-based companies in advanced technology fields such as AI and robotics participated, was created with a total area of 205.5㎡ and was recorded as the first case of taking part in VivaTech in the form of a joint pavilion.

Over four days, the participating companies conducted consultations focused on investment review, technology cooperation (PoC), and building global partnerships, exploring the potential for entering the European market. SBA explained that around 300 business meetings were concluded during this period.

In particular, SBA stated that it achieved tangible business outcomes by hosting the “Seoul Night in Paris” global networking event a day before the exhibition opened. About 70 people, including local investors, global media, and representatives from participating companies, attended the event. The connections formed there led to additional meetings during the exhibition period and translated into concrete cooperation outcomes.

Individual companies also posted notable results. On-device and edge AI company ZETIC.AI reportedly won the Swisstech Choice Award at the “Swisstech Global DeepTech Battle,” securing an opportunity to receive support under the soft-landing program of Switzerland’s EPFL Innovation Park. In addition, LBS Tech, which developed AI navigation technology for people with walking difficulties, was selected as one of the top 30 companies in “Tech for Change,” a program that evaluates social innovation technologies, and was recognized for its technological capabilities.

There were also MOU achievements. AI fashion platform MITOWN signed an agreement on cooperation in AI design and production technology with global company Lehosah, while AI agent platform provider Common Computer concluded an agreement with Swiss company Uthereal for technology cooperation and joint business promotion. In addition, a total of six collaborations were finalized in sectors including luxury and beauty, industrial automation, energy, and investment.

The on-site response to the exhibition was also enthusiastic. Studio Lab, which showcased an AI-based automatic shooting solution, drew attention by being included in the VIP tour course of leading French fashion companies such as Louis Vuitton, Moët & Chandon, Hennessy (LVMH), Kering Group, and Chaumet. Lillycover, which presented AI skin diagnosis and customized cosmetics manufacturing technology, also attracted interest from local visitors and was introduced by local French media as a case of an AI-based personalized beauty platform.

During the exhibition, companies participating in the Seoul Integrated Pavilion received a total of 10 global awards and challenge prizes.

Regarding the selection criteria for the 20 companies that took part in this year’s VivaTech, an SBA official said, “We comprehensively considered a wide range of factors and gave additional points to companies participating in related innovation communities,” adding, “To enhance the objectivity and fairness of the selection process, five external judges took part in the evaluation.”

SBA intends to organize and participate with an integrated pavilion again next year. The official said, “We are reviewing participation again next year,” and added, “We plan to strengthen the support system for participating companies in line with the characteristics of the VivaTech exhibition, and will continue to expand participation opportunities for promising companies with high potential for entering the European market.” The official went on to say, “We will also prepare measures to support participating companies in building local networks and generating follow-up outcomes.”

Kim Hyun-woo, President and CEO of SBA, said, “By presenting the Seoul Integrated Pavilion for the first time at VivaTech, Europe’s largest tech event, we achieved meaningful results in accelerating the global business expansion of participating companies,” and added, “As the experience-oriented exhibition design and investor and media networking strategy led to tangible outcomes, we will continue to actively support Seoul startups in entering overseas markets.”

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