Korean startups at MWC Barcelona have been able to find great success. MWC which stands for Mobile World Congress held in Barcelona brings in over 100,000 attendees and is considered one of the biggest mobile trade shows in the world. It is produced by GSMA and holds annual MWC events in Africa, Los Angeles, and Shanghai, as well as the Mobile 360 Series of regional conferences. 

MWC Barcelona, the world’s largest mobile technology event will return to Barcelona in 2022 under the theme Connectivity Unleashed. GSMA opened registration for the event, which will take place from 28th February – 3rd March 2022. Moreover, during the four-day conference, attendees will hear about the future of connectivity from leaders within the mobile industry and beyond.

“This year, I was incredibly proud that we were able to bring the industry back together in Barcelona after so long apart. Building on the success of MWC21, I’m thrilled that we can do it again. At the 2022 edition of MWC we will provide a platform for the debates that define society’s relationship with technology and, ultimately, we will be the place where business gets done,” said GSMA CEO Ltd. John Hoffman.

MWC Barcelona – Connectivity Unleashed

GSMA’s main event takes place in Barcelona which is why so many Korean companies are interested in attending MWC Barcelona. However, for startups in Korea looking to attend MWC, it will not be cheap. Therefore, many Korean startups go to MWC Barcelona on government-sponsored programs that encourage entrepreneurship and global expansion. This is because going from Seoul to Barcelona is not cheap when you take into account the flight, event tickets, hotel, exhibition space, and food. Therefore it is critical to get the maximum out of the experience.

Connectivity Unleashed is the theme for MWC Barcelona. Some of the topics explored will include: 

• CloudNet – Networks continue to adapt to support service delivery. Therefore today, the cloud is considered a key enabler of large-scale transformation with the market projected to reach $75 billion by 2026.
• 5G Connect – This theme will explore what tomorrow’s world looks like with 5G. In addition, the theme will explore business models shaping its growth.
• Internet of Everything – With 24 billion IoT connections predicted by 2025, smart technology offers a new means to reimagine and transform physical spaces.
• FinTech – The mobile ecosystem is the heartbeat of fintech as technology continues to reduce barriers and enable new disruptions and innovations.
• Tech Horizon – The Tech Horizon theme aims to explore how mobile is transforming our future with innovations that go beyond the industry and deliver purpose.
• Advancing AI – With global investment set to top $170 billion by 2025, geopolitical lines are taking shape on AI’s use of data and where collaboration is needed to develop new industry innovations.

Speakers at MWC Barcelona

MWC Barcelona will bring an exciting line-up of thought leaders and disrupters. 

• Prem Akkaraju, CEO, Weta Digital
• Shuky Sheffer, President, and CEO, Amdocs
• Anne Chow, CEO, AT&T Business
• Cher Wang, Chairwoman and Acting CEO, HTC
• Maurcio Ramos, CEO, Millicom
• Pekka Lundmark, President & CEO, Nokia
• Stephane Richard, Chairman & CEO, Orange
• Jose Maria Alvarez-Pallete, Chairman & CEO, Telefonica
• Caroline Casey, Founder & Creator, Valuable 500
• Nick Read, CEO, Vodafone

Event Korean Startups at MWC need to go to – 4YFN

The event Korean startups should focus on at MWC is 4YFN which stands for 4 Years From Now. Over 450 international startups will exhibit at 4YFN in hopes of getting funding from VCs and CVCs. Therefore, 4YFN is for mid-late stage startups that have a product or service already in the market and already have sales to show investors. In addition, there will be 8 programs in sectors including; Digital Health, Fintech, Frontier Tech, Sportstech, Impact, Investors, Communities, and, Diversity and Inclusion. Furthermore, delegations from Austria, Andorra, Chile, Egypt, the UK, Spain, Switzerland, and South Korea will be showcasing their solutions on the show floor together with ground-breaking startups from the rest of the world.

There are a lot of global investors and corporates at 4YFN which is perfect for Korean startups looking to grow their global network. Therefore, Korean startups going to MWC and 4YFN, in particular, should be at a stage where they can start to work with bigger global companies.

“This year marks the 8th edition of the GSMA’s key innovation platform at MWC Barcelona, 4YFN. Combining MWC and 4YFN recognizes the critical role startups play in fulfilling the potential of mobile technology. The innovation they deliver will enable us to unleash new potential and ensure we are contributing to society and the planet in a way we can be proud of passing to future generations.”  said Pere Duran, 4YFN Director. 

What Korean Startups should focus on at MWC Barcelona

The main focus should be to secure customers and gain partnerships with corporations. Corporate Exhibitors confirmed for MWC Barcelona include Google, Cisco, DELL Technologies, Intel, Samsung, Twitter, Verizon, and more. Therefore, most that go to MWC are looking for business opportunities with other companies and attracting global investors. 

In addition, try to get feedback from experts in regard to your product or service. Finally, make sure to network with potential investors. Therefore, think of MWC Barcelona as a long networking event. Your goal should be to speak to as many industry professionals as possible. 

What Korean Startups will need to do before MWC Barcelona

• Make sure you have a prototype 
• Make brochures
• Create a quick 1-2 minute video for your exhibition area. 
• Research the companies and plan your meetings ahead of time. 
• Participate in the 4YFN’s pitching event. 
• Apply for mobile awards here. 

Once you purchase your ticket to MWC Barcelona, download the MWC Networking App. Through this app, you will be able to filter by industry, title, and area of interest within the company. In addition, you will be able to directly message people through the app. Furthermore, after the event is over it is best to follow up via email or LinkedIn.

Register now

Registration is now open for MWC Barcelona, the industry’s most influential connectivity event. Click here to ensure you ensure your attendance.