Seoul Fintech Week 2026: Innovation and Partnerships Unveiled

Event Overview

From October 26 to 28, 2026, the Conrad Seoul and IFC area in Yeouido will host Seoul Fintech Week, an initiative aimed at fostering innovation in the financial sector. This year's theme is "AX-based digital finance transformation: finance that knows me," and it will bring together financial institutions, startups, and tech companies to explore groundbreaking developments.

Key Participants and Activities

The event sees participation from major financial entities such as Shinhan Financial Group and IBK Industrial Bank of Korea. They will engage in discovering startups and supporting technology proof-of-concepts while facilitating fundraising opportunities. Various programs will focus on pressing topics in digital finance, specifically examining the roles of financial AI agents and stablecoins.

On the opening day, the Seoul city government and Shinhan Financial Group will hold an awards ceremony for the Finovation Challenge, a program designed to integrate fintech innovations into traditional finance. This year, six startups—Advisorloren, Cleon, Momstay, Firstvalue, Caring, and Fairytech—will be recognized for their contributions, with three distinguished companies receiving various awards.

Keynote and Discussions

The inauguration will feature a keynote address from Won-geun Shin, CEO of Kakao Pay, who will delve into the future of financial services and the impact of AI agents on personalized finance. Following this, sessions will address AI transformation strategies, with contributions from industry representatives including those from the Financial Supervisory Service and leading educational institutes.

Demo Days and Networking

The second day will focus on fundraising support for fintech startups. In the morning, six selected companies will showcase their solutions to potential investors during a demo day organized by the 2nd Seoul Fintech Lab and Naver Cloud, providing invaluable exposure to enhance their business paths.

In the afternoon, a collaborative demo day hosted by the Seoul Fintech Lab and IBK Industrial Bank features twelve startups presenting to investors. Successful participants will not only gain access to the Seoul Fintech Lab but also obtain technology advancement opportunities with the bank, enhancing their visibility and growth potential.

Exhibitions and Recruitment

Throughout the event, around 21 companies will set up booths to showcase their technologies and services. In addition, there will be a recruitment area where job seekers can participate in pre-scheduled interviews, fostering connections between talent and fintech companies.

Final Day Seminars

The concluding day on October 28 will witness seminars at IFC The Forum, discussing pivotal technology shifts within finance. Topics will range from "Agentic AI and the future of finance" to "Tokenisation of finance and stablecoins," while also offering educational programs targeting the general public.

Speakers such as Sun-yeop Lee, CEO of AFW Partners, will elaborate on financial management strategies, whereas Hyo-seok Lee, CEO of HS Academy, will discuss the transforming financial landscape driven by AI agents.

Supporting Fintech Growth

Hyun-woo Kim, from the Seoul city government's Economy Office, highlighted that Seoul is ranked seventh globally for financial competitiveness, underscoring the city's dedication to nurturing fintech companies. He articulated a vision of enhancing collaboration among financial institutions and investors to position Seoul as a leading global financial hub.