Peris.ai Wins Korea-ASEAN AI Youth Festa Prize
The Indonesian cybersecurity startup took first place among 24 Southeast Asian and South Korean participants at the event in Taguig City.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence
Peris.ai, a cybersecurity and tech startup from Indonesia, won the first prize of $20,000 at the Korea-ASEAN AI Youth Festa 2026. Star Picker Inc. of South Korea took second place with $10,000, and the Philippine startup AtoAni received third place with $5,000.
Why it matters
The competition brought together startups from Southeast Asia and South Korea, offering cash prizes and visibility to early-stage companies working on artificial intelligence and related technologies. The results highlight the growing regional participation in AI-focused entrepreneurship.
The three top prizes totaled $35,000 among 24 participants judged on five parameters, including technology and innovation, market opportunity, and linkages with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Individual scores for each finalist were not included in the available results.
The players
Peris.ai
An Indonesian cybersecurity and tech startup that won the first prize at the competition.
Star Picker Inc.
A South Korean company whose co-founder and CEO Park Choojin said the startup plans to expand across other Southeast Asian countries.
National IT Industry Promotion Agency
South Korea's government agency that co-organized the festa to promote the country's information technology sector.
Association of Southeast Asian Nations
The regional intergovernmental organization that co-organized the event with South Korea's agency.
The details
The event, held in Taguig City from November 4 to 5, was organized by South Korea's National IT Industry Promotion Agency together with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Star Picker Inc.'s pitch focused on motorcycle accident detection and response, while AtoAni's agriculture-based pitch aimed to connect local producers and cooperatives with market demand.
Timeline
November 4 to 5, 2026: Korea-ASEAN AI Youth Festa 2026 held in Taguig City, Philippines.
November 5, 2026: Winners announced at the conclusion of the event.
Big Picture
The festa extends the existing ASEAN cooperation framework with South Korea into youth-focused artificial intelligence entrepreneurship. It reflects a regional pattern of joint programs linking Southeast Asian startups with East Asian institutions.
Startups that win regional competitions like this one may gain funding and visibility that can speed up product development. Users of these emerging cybersecurity, transportation-safety and agricultural tools could see them become available in the coming years.
The takeaway
Regional competitions that combine cash prizes with cross-border partnerships can help early-stage AI companies reach new markets. Readers following Southeast Asian tech should watch for expansion announcements from the winning teams.
Further reading
For more on the technologies behind these startups, explore our Artificial Intelligence coverage.
