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KB Financial explores support strategies for advanced industries, startups at GITEX Global 2025
KB Financial Group’s head of digital & IT Lee Chang-kwon, left, and Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) CEO Matthew White shake hands at GITEX Global 2025 at the Dubai World Trade Centre in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oct. 15 (local time). Courtesy of KB Financial Group
By Lee Kyung-min
KB Financial Group dispatched a delegation to GITEX Global 2025, the world’s largest ICT exhibition hosted by the Dubai Digital Authority, from Monday to Friday at the Dubai World Trade Centre, the group said Sunday.
In attendance were over 6,500 firms, investors and institutions from more than 180 countries. They showcased next-generation technologies and industry trends, sharing strategies for driving digital innovation and securing future growth engines.
The group’s participation sought to strengthen commercialization and global expansion of startups, as mediated by the KB Starters program, the group’s initiative to foster budding, high-potential industry players.
The delegation led by Lee Chang-kwon, KB Financial’s head of digital & IT, met with local venture capital firms and government-affiliated organizations to discuss digital finance corporation.
They visited the booths of autonomous driving startups to explore growth strategies for high-tech industries and startups.
KB officials focused on gaining deeper insights into industry dynamics across artificial intelligence (AI), fintech, blockchain and cybersecurity.
They also held meetings with relevant Dubai government entities to discuss digital finance innovation policies, exploring global cooperation opportunities.
Of note was the participation of Autonomous A2Z, a Korean startup pioneering Level 4 autonomous driving technology, and Space42, an AI-based global satellite and geospatial analytics company.
They discussed ways to foster the growth of high-tech industries and attract investments for further development.
The group also had meetings with Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority and Dubai Silicon Oasis, exploring long-term collaboration opportunities in digital asset regulation, smart city innovation ecosystems and tech enterprise development strategies.
The delegation also attended Expand North Star 2025, the largest startup exhibition in the Middle East. It provides investment and networking opportunities for global startups.
The group plans to strengthen the KB Starters program, aided by the global startup network established during this visit through faster commercialization and breakthroughs in technologies.
“The visit helped us deepen [our] understanding of global high-tech industry trends and build networks in the UAE investment ecosystem. We will continue to expand global cooperation and technological cooperation to advance productive finance,” a KB Financial official said.