World-OKTA opens AI startup course ahead of Shenzhen finals

By Kim Dong-young Posted : August 10, 2026, 17:23 Updated : August 10, 2026, 17:23
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SEOUL, August 10 (AJP) - The World Federation of Overseas Korean Traders Associations, known as World-OKTA, is recruiting participants for a four-day online course on agentic AI, the classroom stage of a startup competition that culminates in Shenzhen this autumn.

The training runs from Aug. 18 to Aug. 21 on Zoom, Korea time, with applications closing Aug. 14.

Eight modules trace a venture from idea discovery and customer research through problem-solution fit, business modeling, market analysis, venture capital, AI tools such as ChatGPT, AI-driven marketing and the building of AI-native firms.

Those who finish all eight receive a certificate.

The faculty includes Rick Rasmussen, an industry fellow at the University of California, Berkeley's Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology, Stanford University professor Michael Lepech and Thomas Toy, a general partner at Startup Capital Ventures.

"I hope this training will let aspiring founders and startup professionals apply AI technology to the actual process of building a company, and sharpen business models aimed at global markets," said Sun Park, chairman of World-OKTA's Global Startup Committee.

The competition itself is open to companies joining the 2026 Korea Business Expo Shenzhen, moving from September preliminaries and online semifinals to an Oct. 9 final at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center.

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