THE summit to explore turning university research into business in Seoul

The Times Higher Education Innovation & Impact Summit 2026 will take place at Korea University in Seoul from Nov. 17 to 19, bringing university leaders and industry experts together to explore commercializing academic research. The three-day event will focus on cooperation between universities, industry and investors, investment in emerging technologies, and building sustainable businesses. More than 300 participants from over 150 institutions and organizations are expected, with more than 80 speakers. The summit will also highlight Korea’s innovation ecosystem and university-industry collaboration.

The summit’s theme is Universities, industry and investors: Connecting research with commercialisation.

Sessions will examine technology transfer, startups and industry partnerships as routes for bringing research breakthroughs to market.

Funding opportunities and gaps in AI, semiconductors, biotechnology, climate technology and advanced manufacturing are among the planned topics.

Speakers include Darren Cooke of the University of California, Berkeley; Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology President Jeon Yun-jong; Finda CEO and co-founder Lee Hye-min; QUBIS CEO Marina Donohoe; and Uniseed CEO Alastair Hick.

Discounted registration rates are available for startups and groups of three or more.

Published Nov 3, 2026 7:01 am KST

Phil Baty, chief global affairs officer at Times Higher Education (THE), speaks at THE Innovation & Impact Summit in New Delhi, India, Dec, 10, 2024. Courtesy of Times Higher Education

The Times Higher Education (THE) Innovation & Impact Summit 2026 will take place at Korea University in Seoul from Nov. 17 to 19, bringing together global university leaders and industry experts to explore ways to turn academic research into commercially viable technologies and businesses.

Under the theme "Universities, industry and investors: Connecting research with commercialisation," the three-day summit will examine strategies for strengthening cooperation between academia and industry, attracting investment and fostering innovation.

The event comes as universities worldwide face growing pressure to demonstrate the economic and social impact of their research amid rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and intensifying global competition for technological leadership.

The event is expected to draw more than 300 participants from over 150 institutions and organizations worldwide, including university leaders, researchers, investors and industry experts.

More than 80 speakers will take part in keynote speeches, panel discussions and workshops focused on translating academic breakthroughs into practical applications, attracting investment and building sustainable businesses.

A promotional banner for the Times Higher Education Innovation & Impact Summit 2026 / Courtesy of Times Higher Education

Discussions will focus on three key areas: turning academic research into commercial ventures, identifying investment opportunities in emerging technologies and strengthening collaboration between universities, industry and investors.

Sessions will explore how universities can bring research breakthroughs to market through technology transfer, startups and industry partnerships, as well as ways to attract investment and scale promising innovations.

The summit will also examine funding opportunities and gaps in strategic sectors, including AI, semiconductors, biotechnology, climate technology and advanced manufacturing.

Another focus will be building competitive innovation ecosystems through new funding models, strategic partnerships and efforts to attract global talent and investment.

Discussions will also address growing global competition for research talent, investment and technological expertise.

The summit will feature Darren Cooke, chief innovation and entrepreneurship officer at the University of California, Berkeley, alongside other leaders from academia, industry and investment organizations.

Other notable speakers include Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology President Jeon Yun-jong, Finda CEO and co-founder Lee Hye-min, QUBIS CEO Marina Donohoe and Uniseed CEO Alastair Hick.

Hosting the summit in Seoul will also put the spotlight on Korea's innovation ecosystem and efforts to strengthen university-industry collaboration, particularly in advanced technology sectors.

Korea University, which is hosting the event, highlighted the importance of international cooperation in advancing innovation and addressing challenges facing higher education.

The university said it aims to harness AI, sustainability and human-centered innovation to shape the future of higher education, while encouraging participants to exchange ideas, forge partnerships and translate research into tangible outcomes.

Furthermore, the summit will provide opportunities for university leaders, researchers, entrepreneurs and investors to build partnerships and explore potential funding opportunities.

Registration is open through the event's official website , with discounted rates available for startups and groups of three or more.

2026年《泰晤士高等教育》创新与影响力峰会将于11月17日至19日在首尔高丽大学举行，届时将汇聚高校领导和行业专家，共同探讨如何将学术研究成果商业化。为期三天的峰会将聚焦高校、产业界和投资者之间的合作、新兴技术投资以及可持续发展企业的构建。预计将有来自150多个机构和组织的300多名代表参加，并有80多位演讲嘉宾发表演讲。峰会还将重点介绍韩国的创新生态系统和产学研合作。

本次峰会的主题是：大学、产业界和投资者：将研究与商业化联系起来。

会议将探讨技术转移、初创企业和产业合作作为将研究突破转化为市场成果的途径。

人工智能、半导体、生物技术、气候技术和先进制造领域的资金机会和缺口是计划讨论的主题之一。

演讲嘉宾包括加州大学伯克利分校的达伦·库克；韩国技术振兴院院长全允钟；Finda 首席执行官兼联合创始人李惠敏；QUBIS 首席执行官玛丽娜·多诺霍；以及 Uniseed 首席执行官阿拉斯泰尔·希克。

初创公司和三人或三人以上的团体可享受注册费折扣。

发布于2026年11月3日 上午7:01（韩国标准时间）

泰晤士高等教育（THE）首席全球事务官菲尔·巴蒂于2024年12月10日在印度新德里举行的泰晤士高等教育创新与影响力峰会上发表讲话。图片由泰晤士高等教育提供。

2026 年泰晤士高等教育 (THE) 创新与影响力峰会将于 11 月 17 日至 19 日在首尔高丽大学举行，届时将汇聚全球大学领导人和行业专家，共同探讨如何将学术研究转化为具有商业可行性的技术和企业。

本次为期三天的峰会以“大学、产业和投资者：连接研究与商业化”为主题，将探讨加强学术界和产业界合作、吸引投资和促进创新的战略。

此次活动正值全球大学面临越来越大的压力之际，这些大学需要在人工智能 (AI) 快速发展和全球技术领导地位竞争日益激烈的背景下，证明其研究的经济和社会影响。

预计本次活动将吸引来自全球 150 多个机构和组织的 300 多名参与者，其中包括大学领导、研究人员、投资者和行业专家。

超过 80 位演讲者将参加主题演讲、小组讨论和研讨会，重点讨论如何将学术突破转化为实际应用、吸引投资和建立可持续发展的企业。

2026年《泰晤士高等教育》创新与影响力峰会宣传横幅 / 图片由《泰晤士高等教育》提供

讨论将集中在三个关键领域：将学术研究转化为商业项目、寻找新兴技术领域的投资机会以及加强大学、产业界和投资者之间的合作。

会议将探讨大学如何通过技术转让、创业和产业合作将研究突破转化为市场成果，以及如何吸引投资和扩大有前景的创新成果。

峰会还将探讨人工智能、半导体、生物技术、气候技术和先进制造业等战略领域的资金机会和缺口。

另一个重点是通过新的融资模式、战略伙伴关系以及吸引全球人才和投资的努力，构建具有竞争力的创新生态系统。

讨论还将涉及日益激烈的全球科研人才、投资和技术专长的竞争。

此次峰会将邀请加州大学伯克利分校首席创新和创业官达伦·库克，以及来自学术界、产业界和投资机构的其他领导人出席。

其他值得关注的演讲嘉宾包括韩国技术振兴院院长全允钟、Finda 首席执行官兼联合创始人李慧敏、QUBIS 首席执行官 Marina Donohoe 和 Uniseed 首席执行官 Alastair Hick。

在首尔举办此次峰会，也将使韩国的创新生态系统以及加强产学研合作的努力，尤其是在先进技术领域，成为关注的焦点。

本次活动的东道主韩国大学强调了国际合作在推进创新和应对高等教育面临的挑战方面的重要性。

该大学表示，其目标是利用人工智能、可持续发展和以人为本的创新来塑造高等教育的未来，同时鼓励参与者交流思想、建立伙伴关系并将研究成果转化为切实可行的成果。

此外，峰会将为大学领导、研究人员、企业家和投资者提供建立合作关系和探索潜在融资机会的机会。

活动报名可通过活动官方网站进行，初创企业和三人及以上团体可享受折扣价。