FLY ASIA 2026 Opens in Busan, Asia’s Startup Hub, with a Venue More Than 1.5 Times the Size of Last Year’s

BUSAN, SOUTH KOREA--(Korea Newswire)--FLY ASIA 2026, Asia’s leading startup expo showcasing the present and future of the region’s startup ecosystem, will be held over two days, from October 7 (Wed) to 8 (Thu), at BEXCO Exhibition Center Hall 1 in Busan.

Hosted by the Busan Metropolitan City government and organized by the Busan Startup Investment Agency, this year’s event carries the slogan “Connect Asia, Fly to the World” and features diverse programs connecting startups with venture investors. This year’s main theme, “Blue Ocean Connect,” puts special focus on the convergence of global capital, the Blue Economy, and AI technology.

Significantly Expanded Scale and Differentiated Programming

FLY ASIA 2025 was a success, attracting participation from more than 14 countries, hosting over 52 programs, and drawing 19,235 attendees. The event facilitated 1,271 one-on-one business meetups and generated approximately KRW 200 billion (about USD 150 million) in investment-linked deals, cementing its position as a key startup platform in Asia.

FLY ASIA 2026 will expand its venue to more than 1.5 times the size of last year’s — making it the largest edition to date — with 200 exhibiting companies and a Global Pavilion featuring around 50 booths from 17 countries.

Key programs include official opening and closing ceremonies; conferences covering topics such as Marine, Physical AI, Globalization, Investment, and Financial Innovation; startup IR sessions and one-on-one meetups; awards recognizing outstanding domestic and international companies; a “Young Star Zone” dedicated to university and international students; and a wide range of collaborative programs.

A Shift Toward Blue Economy and AI Content, Plus Tailored Networking Infrastructure

The most notable change this year is a full pivot toward Blue Economy and AI-centered content. Mark Huang, a clean technology and Bluetech expert with over 20 years of experience, will deliver a keynote address at FLY ASIA 2026. As a co-founder of SeaAhead — a platform advancing ocean sustainability and Bluetech innovation — Huang will share insights into the global Bluetech landscape and the future of the ocean industry.

The event will also introduce a Maritime Innovation Pavilion and a maritime conference session, highlighting new ideas that bring together the Blue Economy and AI technology. These programs will showcase Busan’s strengths and its vision for the future of the ocean economy.

Additionally, FLY ASIA will launch its proprietary meetup-matching app, enabling real-time search and requests for both pre-scheduled and on-site meetups. An “MOU Signing Zone” will also operate throughout the event to help translate business exchanges into concrete investment outcomes.

More Than 20,000 Global Startup Ecosystem Participants Expected

FLY ASIA 2026 is expected to draw more than 20,000 participants from the global startup ecosystem. The expo will host an open networking party accessible to all attendees. In addition, it will support the next generation of entrepreneurs through startup idea competitions for university and international students, consulting sessions provided by the Busan Global Startup Immigration Center, and special lectures for young entrepreneurs.

Pre-registration for FLY ASIA 2026 is currently open on the official website. A free “Digital Exhibition” program is also accepting applications, allowing startups to showcase their innovations online without operating a physical booth, while still connecting them to on-site networking through the meetup-matching app. Applications are open through September 23 (Wed).

An event official said, “Through our expanded scale, refined programming, and differentiated matching system, we aim to provide the best possible business opportunities for everyone visiting FLY ASIA 2026. We are committed to ensuring that startups, investors, and global institutions can achieve tangible collaborative results.”

For the latest news and pre-registration information on FLY ASIA 2026, visit the official website (https://www.fly-asia.org/main/) or the official Instagram channel (https://www.instagram.com/flyasia_official/).

About the Asia Startup Festival

FLY ASIA, the Asia Startup Expo, is an Asian startup festival held in Busan to build a global business network and lead the investment ecosystem.
Through a diverse range of programs — including the opening ceremony, conferences, IR, networking programs and exhibitions — FLY ASIA invites you to an Asian startup festival that brings together some 20,000 domestic and international startups, investors, and startup-ecosystem stakeholders.

Website: https://www.fly-asia.org/main/

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