Seoul: Asia's largest startup fair, NextRise, will open in Seoul next month, bringing together thousands of blue-chip and rising companies in artificial intelligence (AI), space, and other emerging industries, the event's co-organizer said Tuesday.

According to Yonhap News Agency, NextRise 2026 will run from June 18-19 at the COEX convention center in southern Seoul to connect entrepreneurs, venture capitals (VCs), and industry leaders, and create a platform for discussions on future industries, the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) said.

Some 1,700 startups, 300 South Korean conglomerates and VCs, as well as global big techs leading the AI industry, including Google, Anthropic, Nvidia, Perplexity, OpenAI, and Palantir Technologies, will take part in the upcoming event.

France has been selected as the guest country of honor for this year's fair, marking the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties between South Korea and the European nation, according to KITA.