The Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI) will hold an artificial intelligence (AI) startup competition this month to identify Korean companies with strong potential to expand into Germany and the broader European market. The Korea-Germany Connect: AI Startup Pitching Challenge 2026 will take place on July 15 at the startup branch of the Korea International Trade Association (KITA), located in Seoul's Coex convention center. The event is sponsored by Infineon Technologies and supported by KITA. The competition is part of KGCCI's Korea-Germany Connect initiative, which aims to strengthen cooperation between Korea's startup ecosystem and Germany's industrial and business networks. Five finalists will pitch their technologies and business models before an international panel of judges representing the German Embassy in Seoul, KITA, Infineon Technologies, Aumovio Korea, Mercedes-Benz Korea and The Korea Herald. The panel will evaluate participants based on technological innovation, commercial viability, suitability for the German and European Union markets, long-term busines