SK Telecom announced on the 7th that it held the ‘K-AI Alliance Global Meetup in Tokyo’ in Tokyo, Japan on the 5th, where it introduced Korean AI technology and services to the Japanese industry.
This event was the first official event held by the K-AI Alliance in Japan, and was held to attract investment from K-AI Alliance member companies and secure business cooperation points targeting major Japanese companies and venture capital (VC).
On this day, 17 companies from among SKT and K-AI Alliance members that are active in the Japanese market or are highly interested in entering the market for the first time attended the event. From the Japanese side, major Japanese corporations such as NTT, Mitsubishi Corporation, and Mizuho Bank, AI-related startups such as Preferred Networks, and Japanese venture capitals such as NTT Docomo Ventures and PKSHA attended.
Japan’s AI industry has recently been rapidly growing, and the government’s startup-friendly policies and increased investment are intertwined, making it an attractive market for domestic AI startups.
SKT plans to expand the scope of the Korean AI ecosystem and pioneer new markets by supporting the advancement of K-AI Alliance member companies into Japan.
We will promote Korean AI innovation companies in Japan and share insights into the local Japanese market.
Member companies that participated in the ‘K-AI Alliance Global Meetup’ on the 5th took part in IR pitching and networking sessions introducing each company’s business.
The member companies announced on this day are ▲Select Star, Studio Lab, MakinaRocks, and Allganize of ‘AIX’, ▲Ellis Group and Lablup of ‘AI Infrastructure’, ▲Real World of ‘AI Robotics’, and ▲Scatter Lab, Liner, XL8, Imocog, and Soundable Health of ‘AI Services’.
Additionally, for Korean AI startups preparing to enter the Japanese market, a forum was held where Lee Kyung-hoon, CEO of Japanese venture capital firm Global Brain, and leading Korean entrepreneurs in Japan, including Allganize and Timetree, shared their success know-how.
This event was a great success, with 44 companies, including startups and investors from both Korea and Japan, participating, providing a forum for extensive exchange.
SKT plans to use this ‘K-AI Alliance Global Meetup’ as a meaningful starting point for global cooperation among K-AI Alliance member companies, especially for establishing a business foundation in Japan.
SKT will continue to work to build a Korean AI ecosystem through the K-AI Alliance and further lay the groundwork for Korean AI startups to actively advance into the global market.
The K-AI Alliance is a consortium formed by SK Telecom and leading Korean AI companies in February 2023, with the goal of conquering the global AI market. Launched with seven companies, the K-AI Alliance has grown to 37 members in just two years, becoming the nation’s leading AI alliance.
Song Ji-young, CEO of Soundable Health
This event was a very meaningful time as I was able to receive practical advice directly on the characteristics of the Japanese market and even had the opportunity to establish contacts with local companies.
Kazuhiko Takahashi, General Manager of NTT Business Development
This was a valuable opportunity to deepen our understanding of Korean AI companies. We look forward to further enhancing AI competitiveness through Korea-Japan cooperation and contributing to enhancing customer value through global expansion.
Yoo Young-sang, CEO of SK Telecom
Japan is a market where the AI industry is growing rapidly, and it is a land of new opportunities for Korean AI companies. Starting with today’s event, we will contribute to the advancement of Korean AI companies into Japan and the expansion of the K-AI ecosystem.
AloJapan.com