Expansion of Korea-US Deep-Tech Innovation Cooperation…'2026 Korea-US Deep-Tech Innovation Workshop' Held in Seoul
Published2026.08.19 15:35
Co-organized by Northeastern University, MTM Ventures, and Seoul National University's SIPC under Support from U.S. NSF
Deep-tech innovation ecosystem stakeholders from Korea and the United States gathered in Seoul to discuss advanced technology cooperation and global commercialization strategies. Expansion of cooperation between the two countries centered on key sectors for future industries such as system semiconductors, quantum technology, and biotechnology were addressed as major agenda items.
The '2026 US-Korea Workshop on Deep-Tech Innovation and Partnerships' was held in Seoul from August 18 to 20, 2026.
The event was co-organized by Northeastern University, MTM Venture Partners, and Seoul National University's System Semiconductor Industry Promotion Center (SIPC) based on research project support from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF).
The event was attended by approximately 30 deep-tech startups from Korea and the United States, venture investors, government agencies, and industry and academic representatives—approximately 80 participants in total. Participants discussed strategies for building strategic partnerships, attracting investments, commercializing technologies, and joint research and development (R&D) cooperation.
Focused Discussion on Six Key Sectors Including Semiconductors, Quantum, and Biotechnology
The workshop was conducted focusing on six sectors: △system semiconductors △quantum and photonics △advanced manufacturing △energy production and storage △sustainable materials △biotech and health-tech.
The event program consisted of in-depth sessions and panel discussions, one-on-one partnering meetings, and domestic industry and research facility visits.
Co-chairs were David Horsley, a professor at Northeastern University's NanoSI, and Michelle Kiang, CEO of MTM Venture Partners.
Strengthened Cooperation for Global Market Entry of Startups
Seoul National University's SIPC has recently been expanding support for overseas market entry of domestic deep-tech startups, including establishing a strategic partnership with Silicon Catalyst, a global semiconductor accelerator.
The organizers stated that they expect this event to serve as an opportunity to strengthen cooperation among technology companies, investors, and research institutions from both Korea and the United States, and to expand opportunities for global market entry.
Lee Hyeok-jae, director of Seoul National University's SIPC, said that a more powerful deep-tech innovation ecosystem could be built when Korea's technological competitiveness and global partnership capabilities are combined.
관련뉴스
Seoul National University's SIPC seeks solutions for K-fabless companies to expand overseas.
Domestic fabless companies account for only 1% of global market sales, but with active efforts to cultivate excellent semiconductor talent and build a semiconductor ecosystem, future growth is anticipated. On the 3rd, the first System Semiconductor Coexistence Forum of 2022, hosted by Seoul National University's System Semiconductor Industry Promotion Center, took place simultaneously at the Professors' Hall Convention Hall and online.
2022.05.06by 명세환 기자
Seoul National University SIPC Symbiosis Forum, ‘Super Gap Fabless’ One Place
The domestic system semiconductor industry has fired the opening shot of full-scale ecosystem activation this year. A meeting was arranged where representatives from approximately 30 fabless companies selected for the Ministry of SMEs and Startups' "Beyond the Gap Startup 1000+ Project" gathered in one place to explore industry promotion and market expansion.
2023.05.18by 명세환 기자
Semiconductor investment momentum shifts from front-end to back-end
The flow of semiconductor investment is shifting from front-end to back-end and packaging-focused processes. Global companies are concentrating on HBM stacking, testing, and supply chain localization, similar to SK Hynix's Indiana HBM packaging factory, with back-end equipment and packaging industries expected to reach peak demand by 2027.
2026.08.28by 배종인 기자
The Problem with AI is Not Performance, but Trust
CEO Kang Min-seung emphasized at Snowflake's World Tour Seoul that generative AI has entered a phase where "trust" rather than accuracy becomes the key competitive advantage. As AI is applied to various tasks including consultation, risk management, and operational automation, incorrect data, erroneous responses, and bias are creating actual business risks. He pointed out that enterprises must build a trust layer above AI. To achieve this, accurate data management, semantic structuring, governance, and prompt security are essential. He explained that AI is not merely an automation tool but a technology that reorganizes the entire organization's workflows and decision-making systems. Snowflake provides a platform that supports this trust-based AI operation, emphasizing that enterprises should build "trustworthy AI" rather than "intelligent AI."
2026.08.28by 배종인 기자
The Decisive Factor for AI Agents in Finance: "Trustworthy Data Infrastructure"
The key to spreading AI agents in the financial sector is establishing a trustworthy data system. KB Kookmin Bank is operating over 100 AI agents by 2025 and is promoting expansion to 300. AI is automating repetitive tasks across various areas such as consultation, risk management, wealth management, and relationship management. However, if data quality, governance, and semantic structuring are insufficient, errors and risks increase. KB is building an AI-Ready organization through a multi-model strategy of GPT, Gemini, and Claude, as well as a Snowflake-based data system. The bank emphasized that AI has entered a phase where it restructures not just simple automation but the entire work process and decision-making system.
2026.08.28by 배종인 기자
