Korea Southern Power helps startups tap Vietnamese market

Korea Southern Power (KOSPO) announced on Aug. 31 that it has helped 20 promising regional startups explore export-related business opportunities worth $15.69 million in Vietnam through its global acceleration program.

The state-run power company said that the startups participated in its 2026 Self-Reliant Project program held in Ho Chi Minh City from Aug. 17 to 21, conducting 266 meetings with local buyers and investors.

The project, now in its third year, is a global acceleration program jointly overseen by Korea Southern Power and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups.

This year’s program included business-to-business buyer meetings, participation in InnoEx 2026, open innovation sessions, and visits to prospective buyers.

After an orientation on Aug. 17, the startups held one-on-one purchasing and investment consultations with Vietnamese companies and distributors the following day.

On Aug. 19 and 20, they participated in a joint pavilion at InnoEx 2026, one of Vietnam’s major innovation business exhibitions, to expand contacts with local buyers and investors, according to KOSPO.

Five participating startups were selected among the Top 30 at Startup Wheel 2026, a global startup competition held in conjunction with the exhibition. Crosshub advanced through the semifinals to become one of five finalists.

On Aug. 20, the startups took part in an open innovation event with affiliates of major South Korean conglomerates operating in Vietnam to explore potential collaboration.

The following day, they visited the offices and factories of prospective Vietnamese buyers to discuss specific areas of cooperation.

Through 266 purchasing and investment consultations, the participating startups generated 66 export-related business opportunities worth a combined $15.69 million, KOSPO said.

In particular, 25 of the agreements involved PoC projects, laying the groundwork for local demonstrations that could lead to further commercialization, KOSPO added.

“Nurturing technology startups and helping them expand globally are the first steps toward regional development and the creation of a robust industrial ecosystem,” KOSPO senior official Byun Hee-jung said.

“KOSPO will keep providing the support that startups need with the goal of achieving shared growth and building closer supply chains with them.”