‘ASTRA Korea’ held for technology and investment collaboration with domestic advanced startups
Collaborates with ‘Applied Materials’ to promote technology validation and commercialization
8 advanced startups pitching in AI, semiconductors, and energy-efficient computing

As the semiconductor industry experiences a boom driven by the spread of AI, expansion of semiconductor manufacturing capabilities in key countries, and equipment investment demand, a new platform for technology and investment cooperation between global semiconductor equipment companies and Korean startups will be provided.

The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA, President Kang Kyung-sung) announced that it will hold ‘ASTRA Korea - Applied Start-up Technology and Research Accelerator 2025’ on November 18 at the Andaz Hotel in Seoul. The event aims to promote global collaboration and investment for promising domestic semiconductor startups.

The event, now in its third year, is co-hosted with Applied Ventures, the corporate venture capital (CVC) arm of global semiconductor and display equipment company Applied Materials. The selected startups will utilize Applied Materials' global research infrastructure to validate their technologies and pursue commercialization, while also receiving support for potential co-development, investment collaboration, and consulting from Applied Ventures.

Applied Ventures has been openly recruiting startups with innovative technologies in advanced fields such as semiconductor manufacturing, energy-efficient computing, and semiconductor-related AI and generative AI applications. Of the 40 companies seeking investment, the final 8 with the highest technology capabilities and growth potential will participate in pitching.

Anand Kamannavar, Vice President of Applied Ventures, stated, “We are excited to collaborate with Korea’s innovative startups through ‘ASTRA Korea.’ We look forward to discovering startups that we can grow together using our technology and global supply chain.”

Commissioner Kim Tae-hyung of Invest KOREA emphasized, “In emerging industries like semiconductors and AI, the creative technology of startups is essential.” He added, “We will continue to discover global companies willing to collaborate with domestic startups and expand the ecosystem for investment cooperation in advanced industries.”



Source : Invest KOREA(2025.11.18.)