Turning Lab Technology Into Profitable Businesses... Global Technology Commercialization Conference to Be Held at Korea University on the 17th

[Financial News] Korea University said on the 13th that it will hold the THE Innovation and Impact Summit 2026 with UK-based global university rankings organization Times Higher Education (THE) at its Seoul campus from the 17th to the 19th. The international conference will explore ways to generate revenue by connecting advanced technologies that had remained in university labs with real-world startups and industrial innovation.
Held under the theme “Universities, Industry and Investors: Connecting Research and Commercialization,” the event will bring together around 300 people, including presidents of leading universities at home and abroad, researchers, startup founders and venture investors. They will focus on strategies for transferring outstanding university research to companies or turning it into startups and developing them into growth companies.
The agenda has three main areas. First, participants will discuss ways to promote technology transfer and university-based entrepreneurship (spin-offs) that turn research into viable businesses. They will then explore funding for research and development and investment priorities in promising next-generation technology fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, biotech, climate technology and advanced manufacturing. Ways for universities and companies to work together to attract world-class talent amid global competition for technological leadership will also be a key topic.
During the event, Korea University’s SK Future Hall will host exhibitions showcasing outstanding research by domestic and international universities and institutions, as well as promotional booths for startups. On the final day, the 19th, companies founded on advanced science and technology will compete to attract investment in a “Deep Tech Startup Pitch Competition.”
Korea University expects the conference to help connect the research capabilities of domestic universities with global investment markets and expand the technology startup ecosystem.  


[email protected] Kim Man-ki Reporter