Part of the Road Tour Phase of the APAC Accelerator Experience
Your Stage to Showcase Korea's MedTech Innovation to the World
Held in conjunction with KIMES 2026 at COEX and in collaboration with KHIDI — live pitching and global exposure to help Korean medtech innovators scale internationally.
Korea’s medtech sector is rapidly gaining global attention, with increasing demand for innovative K-Medtech solutions in international markets. To help Korean startups showcase their potential and connect with global partners, Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI), in collaboration with MedTech Innovator Asia Pacific, will launch MedTech Spotlight: New Impact Korea 2026 this March in Seoul.
Held alongside KIMES 2026 and supported by the Korea Medical Devices Industry Association (KMDIA), this program brings together Korean innovators, global strategics, international investors, and hospital leaders for a day of live pitching, expert feedback and meaningful connections.
Held alongside KIMES 2026 at COEX, Seoul.
Korea’s medtech sector is rapidly gaining global attention, with increasing demand for innovative K-Medtech solutions in international markets. To help Korean startups showcase their potential and connect with global partners, Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI), in collaboration with MedTech Innovator Asia Pacific, will launch MedTech Spotlight: New Impact Korea 2026 this March in Seoul.
A two-day experience designed to prepare selected startups and connect them with global decision-makers.
Before the main event, selected startups will receive dedicated coaching to refine their presentations for an international audience.
Format: One-on-one coaching sessions
Selected Korean startups will pitch to groups of global industry experts, investors, and strategics.
Format: Roundtable-style pitch sessions where judges rotate between rounds. Pitches will be conducted in English.
Receive immediate, practical, and actionable insights from judges with deep expertise across clinical areas and target markets.
Connect directly with decision makers who can open doors to partnerships, pilots, funding, and market access across Asia Pacific and beyond.
Companie ss demonstrating strong global potential may be invited to join the MedTech Innovator Asia Pacific 2026 Cohort.
Learn MoreBefore the main event, selected startups will receive dedicated coaching to refine their presentations for an international audience.
Format: One-on-one coaching sessions
Selected Korean startups will pitch to groups of global industry experts, investors, and strategics.
Format: Startups will engage in roundtable-style pitch sessions where judges rotate between rounds to hear from startups that match their areas of interest. Pitches will be conducted in English.
What this means for startups:
Real-Time Expert Feedback
Receive immediate practical, actionable insights and feedback from judges with deep expertise in your clinical areas and target markets on scaling internationally.
Global Networking
Connect directly with decision makers who can open doors to partnerships, pilots, funding, and market access across Asia Pacific and beyond.
Pathway to MTI APAC Accelerator
Companies demonstrating strong global potential may be invited to join the MedTech Innovator Asia Pacific 2026 Cohort.
A step-by-step pathway from application to pitching — expand each step to learn more.
Application window closed
Korean medtech startups apply to the MedTech Innovator Asia Pacific 2026 Accelerator Program.
Eligibility:
Application Instructions
Evaluation and notification
Applications are evaluated by industry experts based on innovation, clinical impact, market opportunity, team strength, and traction.
16 Korean startups will be invited to pitch at MedTech Spotlight: New Impact Korea 2026.
19-20 March 2026 | Seoul
Selected Korean startups will receive pre-event pitch coaching and preparation support on 19 March 2026, followed by live pitch sessions to international judges, and networking with global ecosystem partners on 20 March 2026.
What's included for selected startups:
What happens after the pitch
Accelerator Pathway: Companies demonstrating strong global potential may be invited to join the MedTech Innovator Asia Pacific Accelerator cohort of 20 startups selected from across the Asia Pacific region.
Customized 1:1 mentorship
Customized 1:1 mentorship from global industry experts matched to your specific needs
Strategic guidance
Strategic guidance on regulatory, clinical, commercial and fundraising challenges
Strategic introductions
Strategic introductions to investors and partners across Asia Pacific
Cash prizes at Grand Finals
Competition for up to USD $300,000 in cash prizes at Grand Finals
Ongoing support
Ongoing support to accelerate commercialization and regional expansion
Valuable connections
Valuable connections made with judges, investors, and strategic partners
Actionable feedback
Actionable feedback to refine your international expansion strategy
Increased visibility
Increased visibility in the Asia Pacific medtech ecosystem
Follow-on conversations
Potential follow-on conversations with interested judges and attendees
Eligibility to apply again
Eligibility to apply again for future MedTech Innovator programs
Ongoing support
Ongoing support to accelerate commercialization and regional expansion
Step 1
Apply to MedTech Innovator APAC 2026
Korean medtech startups apply to the MedTech Innovator Asia Pacific 2026 Accelerator Program.
Eligibility:
Application Instructions
Application Deadline: 1 December 2025
16 January 2026 (Specially for Korean Startups applying into MTI APAC Program)
Step 2
Selection & Invitation
Applications are evaluated by industry experts based on innovation, clinical impact, market opportunity, team strength, and traction.
16 Korean startups will be invited to pitch at MedTech Spotlight: New Impact Korea 2026.
Selection Notification: February 2026
Step 3
Pitch at MedTech Spotlight: New Impact Korea 2026
19-20 March 2026 | Seoul
Selected Korean startups will receive pre-event pitch coaching and preparation support on 19 March 2026, followed by live pitch sessions to international judges, and networking with global ecosystem partners on 20 March 2026.
What’s included for selected startups:
On/offline promotional support at KIMES 2026
Step 4
Post-Event Outcomes & Accelerator Selection
Accelerator Pathway: Companies demonstrating strong global potential may be invited to join the MedTech Innovator Asia Pacific Accelerator cohort of 20 startups selected from across the Asia Pacific region.
If selected for the Accelerator, you gain access to a Four-Month Intensive Program:
Customized 1:1 mentorship from global industry experts matched to your specific needs
Selection Notification: May 2026
Even if not selected for the Accelerator cohort, you’ll benefit from:
Judges only
Startups
• How to make the best out of the MedTech Spotlight: New Impact Korea 2026
• Presentation on Pitching to Judges in the MTI APAC Format
• 20-min per company
• 20-min per company
Time to refine and edit presentations
Sharing and Introduction to Korea's Healthcare System
Venue: Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas
• 1-min introduction (each)
• 5-min pitch + 15-min Q&A × 3 rotations
• 1-min introduction (each)
• 5-min pitch + 15-min Q&A × 3 rotations
• Public Conference
• Session topics to be updated soon
Check out our Info Session to understand more about the event format, application process, and what judges look for in startups.
Date: 26 November 2025
Time: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM SGT // 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM KST
Topic: How to Prepare for MedTech Spotlight: New Impact Korea 2026
Selected companies will be announced in February 2026. Stay tuned!
Selected companies will be announced in [Month 2026]. Logos will appear here.
KHIDI is a government agency advancing Korea’s bio-health industry by supporting innovation, global expansion, and connections across research, industry and markets.
The KMDIA is the leading organization and collective voice of medical device, manufacturers, importers, and innovators in S. Korea.
