13 MICE Tech Startups Unite to Drive Digital Transformation in the Events Industry
Korea's MICE Tech Industry Council launches with 13 startups committed to digitizing the events sector through policy advocacy and cross-industry collaboration.
Korea Startup Forum Launches MICE Tech Industry Council Jang Dong-won of GroundK Elected as First Chair; Three Working Groups Established
Thirteen Korean event technology startups have joined forces to accelerate the digital transformation of the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) industry. The Korea Startup Forum has officially launched the MICE Tech Industry Council, signaling a coordinated, private-sector push to reshape how events are planned, managed, and experienced.
The founding kickoff event was held at Maru360 in Gangnam, Seoul, bringing together the following 13 member companies: GroundK, Rubook, MICELink, ManmanhaNyeokseok, Maze, Blue Origin, CircleConnection, Opener DOC, OnOffMix, WizL, Eventers, EasyTask, and CampusStay.
The council will operate as a private-sector-led alliance focused on three priorities: driving digital innovation across the MICE value chain, developing cross-industry collaboration models, and engaging government and regulatory bodies on policy reform.
”This Is About Creating a New Business Order, Not Just Going Digital”
Jang Dong-won, CEO of GroundK, was elected as the Council’s inaugural Chair. In his opening remarks, he set an ambitious tone:
“The convergence of MICE and technology is not simply about digitization — it is about creating an entirely new business order. We will lead a private-sector-driven digital transformation grounded in real industry experience and collaborative enterprise models.”
To ensure operational focus, the council has established three working groups:
| Working Group | Focus Area | Lead |
|---|---|---|
| Technology Division | Event tech development & integration | Ahn Young-hak, CEO of Eventers |
| Planning Division | Strategy & program development | Hwang Seong-min, CEO of Opener DOC |
| Communications Division | PR, outreach & industry visibility | Lee Hyun-jin, CEO of MICELink |
Professor Yoon Young-hye of Dongduk Women’s University has joined as an academic advisor, providing strategic guidance as the council develops its roadmap.
Three Core Objectives: Digital Innovation, Policy Advocacy, and Network Development
The MICE Tech Industry Council has outlined the following priorities for its initial phase of activity:
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Digital Innovation — Identify and promote technology solutions that modernize MICE operations across venue management, attendee engagement, data analytics, and hybrid event delivery.
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Cross-Industry Network Building — Facilitate partnerships and collaboration models between MICE operators, tech vendors, corporates, and academic institutions.
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Policy Engagement & Regulatory Reform — Develop concrete policy proposals for government agencies and industry regulators, with the goal of reducing friction for tech-driven event businesses and expanding market access.
The council specifically aims to function as a private-sector policy platform — bridging the gap between on-the-ground startup innovation and formal government policy channels.
Why This Matters for the Global MICE Industry
The MICE sector is increasingly recognized as a convergence platform — connecting industries, enabling knowledge transfer, and reflecting broader societal shifts in how professionals network and collaborate. With the rise of hybrid formats, AI-powered personalization, and data-driven attendee experiences, the demand for mature event technology infrastructure has never been greater.
Yet in many markets, including Korea, regulatory environments and institutional procurement processes have not kept pace with technological capabilities. The MICE Tech Industry Council represents a growing recognition that startups and private innovators must take an active seat at the policy table — not just as vendors, but as architects of industry standards.
The council has stated its intention to strengthen global competitiveness by leveraging field expertise and private-sector agility to pursue sustainable, scalable digital transformation.
”A Model for Private-Sector-Led Problem Solving”
Koo Tae-un, Vice Chairman of the Korea Startup Forum, praised the launch as a meaningful step forward:
“This council represents the startup community’s collective response to the urgent need for digital transformation in MICE. It has the potential to become a model for private-sector-led problem solving — demonstrating how industry can take initiative rather than waiting for top-down mandates.”
He also issued a call to action for government:
“We hope that central and local governments will redefine MICE as a strategic industry, and move forward with regulatory relaxation and institutional reform — creating a distinctly Korean MICE model with genuine global competitiveness.”
About the Korea Startup Forum
The Korea Startup Forum is Korea’s largest startup advocacy organization, representing approximately 2,500 startups and innovative companies. In addition to the newly launched MICE Tech Industry Council, its portfolio of industry bodies includes the Telemedicine Industry Council, the LegalTech Industry Council, and an AI Think Tank. The Forum acts as a primary channel for translating industry feedback into actionable policy recommendations and market development initiatives.
📰 Source: Platum — Korea’s Startup Ecosystem Media · Published: 2025-07-30 · Reporter: Kim Moon-sun
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