▶ Prologue — A COEX Visit with Startup Founders

On April 22, 2026, I visited COEX to attend World IT Show 2026 (WIS 2026) together with fellow startup founders from the Osan University Startup Support Center’s BI incubation program. As one of Korea’s largest exhibitions showcasing the latest trends in IT and AI, it was a valuable opportunity to experience the direction of the market firsthand as a startup founder.

This visit went beyond a simple tour. It was part of the [RISE] AI Capability Enhancement Program for Startups, organized by the Osan University Startup Support Center. Walking through the exhibition with fellow founders, we shared insights on the latest developments in AI, semiconductors, cloud computing, and smart manufacturing, making it a truly meaningful and productive day.

WIS 2026 — Overview of the World IT Show

WIS 2026 is one of the largest comprehensive IT exhibitions in Korea. This year again, it utilized the entire COEX venue to showcase a wide range of advanced technologies, including AI, cloud computing, big data, smart factories, and security solutions. The event was jointly organized by leading institutions such as the Korea International Trade Association, The Korea Economic Daily, Electronic Times, COEX, K-FAIRS, KAIT, IITP, and ITRC.

Inside the exhibition hall, the space was fully packed with booths from large corporations, startup zones, and government-supported sections linked to the Ministry of SMEs and Startups. Despite being held on a weekday, the venue was vibrant and bustling with a large number of visitors.

▶ Overall Review & Key Insights

Through my visit to WIS 2026, I gained several important insights:

• The application of AI in manufacturing is no longer an ideal concept—it is clearly transitioning into a real, active market.
• Demand for private cloud-based AI infrastructure is rapidly increasing, reaffirming strong customer needs for on-premise deployable solutions.
• Through booths hosted by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and KOSME, I was able to identify additional government support programs that could be leveraged in the future.
• Compared to competitors, NeXZennis demonstrates strong competitiveness, particularly in the precision advantage of its ensemble AI model and its differentiated multi-domain applicability.
• Participating in the visit with the Osan University Startup Support Center provided a valuable opportunity for networking and exchanging insights among resident companies.

▶ [RISE] AI Capability Enhancement Program for Startups — A Shared Experience

This visit to WIS 2026 was conducted as part of a field learning session under the [RISE] AI Capability Enhancement Program for Startups, organized by the Osan University Startup Support Center. The program was designed to allow startup founders to directly experience the latest IT and AI technology trends and to create synergy through networking and collaboration.

Following the exhibition, we shared a meal together, discussing our respective business progress and challenges. It was a meaningful time where we exchanged encouragement and strengthened our sense of solidarity as startup founders. These informal interactions are, in many ways, a valuable asset that enriches the startup ecosystem.

▶ Closing Remarks

WIS 2026 was more than just a visit—it was an important opportunity to validate the market and reaffirm our technological direction.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Osan University Startup Support Center and all participating startup founders. I look forward to continuing to support one another as we move forward with confidence toward our individual goals.