📋 Tender Overview
Project No.
SMEWG_106_2026A
Project Title
APEC Startup Innovation Forum: Driving Digital-Powered Startup Growth
Project Status
Project in Implementation
Fund Account
APEC Support Fund
Sub-fund
ASF: General Fund
Project Year
2026
Project Session
Session 1
APEC Funding
99,999
Co-funding Amount
100,000
Total Project Value
199,999
Sponsoring Forum
Small and Medium Enterprises Working Group (SMEWG)
Topics
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises; Digital Technology and Innovation; Management
Committee
SOM Steering Committee on Economic and Technical Cooperation (SCE)
Other Fora Involved
Other Non-APEC Stakeholders Involved
Proposing Economy(ies)
Korea
Co-Sponsoring Economies
Australia; Brunei Darussalam; Canada; Chile; China; Indonesia; Japan; Philippines; Russia; Singapore; Chinese Taipei; Thailand; Viet Nam
Expected Start Date
01/01/2027
Expected Completion Date
31/12/2027
Project Proponent Name 1
Minyoung Yeo
Job Title 1
Coordinator
Organization 1
Korea SMEs and Startups Agency
Telephone 1
+82-2-322-6128
Email 1
ymy13@kosmes.or.kr
Project Proponent Name 2
Not Applicable
Job Title 2
Not Applicable
Organization 2
Not Applicable
Telephone 2
Not Applicable
Email 2
Not Applicable
Declaration
Minyoung Yeo
Project Summary
The project will organize a one-day hybrid forum in Korea in June 2027 to strengthen cooperation among APEC startup ecosystems and promote digital innovation. Consistent with the Jeju Initiative on APEC Startup Alliance, the project will contribute to greater connectivity, collaboration, and knowledge exchange among startup stakeholders across APEC economies.
The forum will focus on startup growth strategies driven by emerging technologies such as AI, data-driven services, cloud computing, and IoT. Policymakers, startup support organizations, investors, and startups will share policies, case studies, and programs enabling digital-powered scaling and cross-border expansion.
The event aims to translate digital transformation priorities into practical measures that support startup growth and capability development. Outcomes will include policy recommendations and collaboration frameworks to accelerate startup innovation, enhance ecosystem connectivity, and facilitate growth across APEC economies.
Relevance
Region
Startups are key contributors to innovation and job creation but face growing barriers in scaling in the digital economy. The OECD SME and Entrepreneurship Outlook 2023 notes that startups often drive competition and innovation, some showing high growth potential and economic impact, yet it states that small firms lag behind large firms in adopting advanced digital technologies. Similarly, the World Bank’s Digital Progress and Trends Report 2023 highlights that firms using digital technologies demonstrate significantly higher growth and resilience.
Across APEC economies, startups encounter common o
