-K-Startups Present Various Solutions at 'Super Pitch Korea' IR Pitching Event, Attracting Investors' Attention
On June 13, the third day of VivaTech 2025, Europe's largest startup and tech event, the Porte de Versailles exhibition hall in Paris was more crowded than ever with people trying to gauge the future direction of technology. The message from the world's leading technology giants, such as OpenAI, Antropic, and Adobe, was clear. They were convinced that AI would not be a competitor that 'replaces' humans, but a partner that 'augments' human creativity and expertise.
The event was filled with in-depth discussions on how AI can break down the barriers between business and daily life and contribute to solving humanity’s challenges. In particular, K-startups, which participated in the largest number ever, were also knocking on the door of the European market with their technological prowess.
Meanwhile, in the midst of this massive technology discourse, Korean innovators made their strongest bet toward the European market. The largest-ever K-startup delegation participated, and through the day’s main event, ‘Super Pitch Korea’, they showcased their technology and vision in front of key European investors, going beyond mere exhibition participation and targeting the heart of the European market.
< 'Super Pitch Korea 2025' held at PITCH STUDIO, Paris Vivatech>
AI Amplifies Human Imagination”… Declaration of Big Tech Leaders
The main topic of the third day’s main stage was definitely ‘Coexistence of Humans and AI.’ The leaders expressed their wonder at the speed of AI technology development, while also repeatedly emphasizing that technology must not lose its human-centered values.
Adobe’s Rachel Thornton made it clear that technology will play a role in supporting unique human capabilities, saying, “Everything starts with individual creativity, imagination, and innovation. AI amplifies this, allowing us to execute and experiment faster, so we can be more creative.”
Sarah Friar, CFO of OpenAI, said, “The pace of progress in this technology is unprecedented,” but also noted the positive impact of the technology. “I’m really excited about the potential for personalized education in the classroom,” she said, emphasizing the potential for AI to contribute to public interests such as education.
<The footsteps of the attendees moving towards the global leader session are busy>
This vision of 'human augmentation' was also followed by voices from the industrial field. Fidji Simo, CEO of Instacart, explained, "Customers do not want stores that are completely free of people," and "technology is a magical combination that helps human workers provide better customer support." Thomas Dohmke, CEO of GitHub, also asked, "If AI writes 99% of the code, who will review that code?" suggesting that the role of developers will not disappear but rather become more advanced.
Deep Tech Meets Creativity: Technologies That Open the Future
On this day, in addition to AI, the audience's attention was captured by deep tech and creative ideas that will change the future of humanity.
- The Future of Quantum Computing : Professor Alain Aspect, winner of the 2022 Nobel Prize in Physics, said in a conversation with IBM that “the foundations of the quantum revolution are being laid today” and urged leaders to prepare strategically. In particular, he left a deep impression with specific advice for young scientists: “If you want good results in the not-too-distant future, study quantum memories.”
- La Poste meets Tetris : In the session ‘The gamification of delivery’, Philippe Wahl, CEO of French postal group La Poste, and Maya Rogers, CEO of Tetris, shared how the two companies transformed their business models amid technological disruption. This was a case that received a big round of applause as it showed how powerful a creative change of thinking can be.
- Robotics Today : China’s Unitree Robotics showed off a more agile quadruped robot and humanoid robot, giving us a vivid glimpse into the future where AI merges with the physical world. “We’re not focused on taking jobs away, we’re focused on filling roles where there’s a shortage of human workers,” said Daniel Diez of Agility Robotics, emphasizing that robots are the solution to the labor gap.
K- Startup knocks on the heart of Europe with ‘super pitch’
While global leaders were having grand discourses, on the other hand, Korean innovators were knocking on the door of the European market. This year in particular, it had a special meaning as it marked the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and France.
The 'Super Pitch Korea' IR pitching event was held with the support of the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME), the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA), and the French-Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI). The event was hosted by professional speech coach Peter Hopwood, and the pitching site, packed with local European investors, accelerators, and media personnel, was filled with excitement. The pitching was divided into 'Lifestyle & Creative Innovation' and 'Smart Tech & Mobility Innovation'. The 15 participating companies attracted investors' attention by presenting diverse solutions that precisely met the core needs of the European market.
<Peter Hopwood, who hosted the event, explains Super Pitch Korea 2025.>
Lifestyle & Content Innovation: Pushing the boundaries of creativity
Next-generation content and creative technology
Danstruct, which provides AI-based 3D choreography motion data, and OASYS Studio, a cloud platform for 3D content creation, showcased core technologies that will lead the metaverse era. 10km.ai, an AI video creation solution for enterprises, Metown Inc., a hyper-realistic 3D fashion digitalization service, and Shining Lab Inc., a music content company, also received attention.
A new lifestyle and community
NomadHer, a community app for female solo travelers with 400,000 members, and Woorikidsplus, which provides eco-friendly and sustainable beauty solutions, have resonated with European consumers who value value consumption.
Platform & Commerce Evolution: Maximizing the Value of Connections
Innovative O2O (Online to Offline) and business platforms that connect consumers and products, advertisers and celebrities using AI also attracted attention.
SlogK Inc., an AI curation O2O platform that connects Korea's excellent consumer goods with the global market, and ALIGO AI, an end-to-end celebrity business platform for advertisers, presented a vision for the future of the commerce and advertising market. DIVE IN GROUP, an immersive art platform, brought new inspiration to the retail and hospitality industries.
Smart Technology & Mobility: Designing a Sustainable Future
Smart Cities and Sustainability
Korean deep-tech companies responding to Europe's sustainability policies and industrial advancement also received attention.
Ninewatt, an AI-based building energy efficiency platform, and EZ Group Inc., which develops smart road signs, presented the future of smart cities. In addition, Petnow, an AI biometric recognition solution that utilizes a pet’s nose (nasal print), was cited as a representative example of improving safety and convenience in everyday life.
Future Mobility Solutions
EFLOW, which developed the next-generation AFPM motor with high performance and high efficiency, has proven its core component technology in electric vehicles and various mobility devices. DRIMAES, which provides integrated solutions ranging from in-vehicle infotainment to control systems, has shown the face of a technological powerhouse.
This event is very significant as it is a strategic move for Korean startups to directly voice their opinions in the European capital market and create tangible results.
The Era of 'Human Augmentation': Focusing on the Role of K-Startups
The third day of VivaTech 2025 clearly demonstrated that AI is entering a mature stage of 'coexistence' and 'cooperation' with humans. In this huge flow, Korean innovative companies proved through 'Super Pitch Korea' that they are now directly targeting the 'heart' of the European market, not the outskirts. In the future vision drawn by AI giants, Korean startups proved their value of existence with 'technological prowess', the most realistic and powerful weapon.
The excitement in Paris is now turning into anticipation for the new success story they will write in the European market.
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