Asia startup expo FLY ASIA 2026 opens in Busan in its largest edition
In short
FLY ASIA 2026, billed as Asia's largest startup expo, opened on the morning of 7 October at BEXCO in Haeundae-gu, Busan, and runs through 8 October. The venue was expanded 1.5 times from last year, with 49 organisations from 18 countries taking part in the global pavilion and a new marine special hall — the largest edition in the event's five-year history. Its content was reorganised around marine industries and artificial intelligence under pledges from Busan's ninth-term city administration.
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FLY ASIA 2026, described in the coverage as Asia's largest startup expo, opened on the morning of 7 October at BEXCO in Haeundae-gu, Busan, and is due to run through 8 October. It is the fifth edition of the event. Hankook Ilbo reported that the programme had been reorganised around Busan's strategic industries of marine and artificial intelligence, in line with pledges made under the city's ninth-term local administration, and that the aim is to expand exchanges between domestic and foreign startups and investors. Yonhap gave the same description of the reorganisation. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
The organisers expanded the venue by 1.5 times compared with the previous year, and 18 countries and 49 organisations are taking part in the global pavilion and the marine special hall, which both Hankook Ilbo and Yonhap called the largest edition to date. [ 1 , 4 ]
Across the two days, the event features an opening ceremony, the marine special hall, a conference, an LP (limited partner) forum, the global pavilion and one-on-one consultations. A “LED digital exhibition” that promotes companies and their items without physical booths was introduced for the first time, alongside exhibition areas divided by strategic industry, investors and the global pavilion. [ 1 , 4 ]
On the marine track, the organisers are running the marine special hall jointly with the National Korea Maritime University. Its programmes include a “marine innovation reverse pitching” session, in which large and mid-sized marine companies present the technologies and business needs they have and are connected with related startups, and a national marine startup contest to identify and support marine startups. A marine environment debate and startup competition for middle school students is also planned. [ 1 , 4 ]
Hankook Ilbo reported that the opening ceremony included a theme video, a performance, congratulatory remarks and keynote speeches, and that marine investment specialist Mark Hwang and a commercial official at the Saudi Arabian embassy in Korea, identified as Side Al-Madani, were to speak on marine industry and global startup and investment trends. Yonhap reported that the ceremony proceeded with the video, performance, remarks and keynote speeches but did not name the speakers. Busan mayor Jeon Jae-soo said, according to Yonhap, that the city “will strengthen support so that domestic and foreign companies and investors can create new business and investment opportunities in Busan”. [ 1 , 4 ]
Hankook Ilbo also recalled the previous edition: FLY ASIA 2025 drew startup-ecosystem participants from more than 40 countries, ran more than 52 programmes and 1,271 one-on-one consultations, and recorded a total of 19,235 visitors. The documents give no attendance or outcome figures for the 2026 edition. [ 1 ]
Why it matters
Busan city runs the expo and presents it as a way to connect domestic and foreign startups with investors, so its expansion reflects the city's stated push into marine and AI industries. Participation by organisations from 18 countries, and a Saudi embassy commercial official on the opening programme, indicates an international investment focus. The documents do not provide expected attendance or economic impact figures for this year's edition.
Key facts
- FLY ASIA 2026 is being held at BEXCO in Haeundae-gu, Busan, from 7 to 8 October. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- It is the fifth edition of the expo. [ 1 , 4 ]
- Its content was reorganised around Busan's strategic industries of marine and artificial intelligence, in line with the city's ninth-term local administration's pledges. [ 1 , 4 ]
- The venue was expanded 1.5 times from a year earlier, with 18 countries and 49 organisations taking part in the global pavilion and the marine special hall, described as the largest edition yet. [ 1 , 4 ]
- The programme includes an opening ceremony, the marine special hall, a conference, an LP (limited partner) forum, the global pavilion and one-on-one consultations. [ 1 , 4 ]
- A LED digital exhibition, which promotes companies and items without physical booths, is being introduced for the first time. [ 1 , 4 ]
- The 2025 edition drew participants from more than 40 countries, ran more than 52 programmes and 1,271 one-on-one consultations, and recorded 19,235 visitors. [ 1 ]
- Busan mayor Jeon Jae-soo said the city will strengthen support so that domestic and foreign companies and investors can create new business and investment opportunities in Busan. [ 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- FLY ASIA 2026 is being held from 7 to 8 October at BEXCO in Haeundae-gu, Busan, with the opening ceremony on the morning of 7 October. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- This is the fifth edition of the event. [ 1 , 4 ]
- Content was reorganised around marine and artificial intelligence, in line with the ninth-term Busan administration's pledges, to expand exchanges between domestic and foreign startups and investors. [ 1 , 4 ]
- The venue is 1.5 times larger than last year, and 18 countries and 49 organisations are participating in the global pavilion and the marine special hall, making it the largest edition to date. [ 1 , 4 ]
- The programme consists of the opening ceremony, the marine special hall, a conference, an LP forum, the global pavilion and one-on-one consultations. [ 1 , 4 ]
- A LED digital exhibition was introduced for the first time. [ 1 , 4 ]
Still unclear
- Attendance, number of consultations and outcomes of the 2026 edition The documents describe the programme and the opening but give no participation or result figures for this year; the only figures cited are for the 2025 edition and come from a single outlet.
- Opening ceremony speakers, including marine investment specialist Mark Hwang's keynote and a Saudi Arabian embassy commercial official's presentation These are named only by Hankook Ilbo; the other outlets report that keynotes took place without naming the speakers.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Hankook Ilbo reports that the expo will open the next day at BEXCO in Haeundae-gu, Busan, describing the marine and AI reorganisation, the 18-country, 49-organisation participation and the 2025 edition's figures. [ 1 ]
- Chosun Ilbo reports Busan city's announcement of the 7–8 October expo, centred on marine and AI. [ 2 ]
- Yonhap reports that FLY ASIA 2026 opened on the morning of 7 October at BEXCO, with the opening ceremony's theme video, performance, congratulatory remarks and keynote speeches. [ 4 ]