SK Telecom Stock; Declines Modestly as Company Courts European VCs

TLDRs;

• SK Telecom will showcase 15 AI and ESG startups at MWC26 to attract European VC investment opportunities.
• The company plans a ₩5 trillion investment over five years to drive AI-related revenue growth by 2030.
• SK Telecom helps startups gain visibility while leveraging enterprise sales routes to strengthen its market position.
• Investor response was cautious, reflecting focus on long-term potential in AI and ESG sectors.

SK Telecom (KRX: 017670) saw its shares dip slightly this week as the South Korean telecom giant announced plans to back 15 domestic startups in the artificial intelligence (AI) and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) sectors. The initiative aims to attract European venture capital investment at the upcoming Mobile World Congress 2026 (MWC26) in Barcelona.

SK Telecom Co.,Ltd, SKM

The stock movement underscores investor caution as SK Telecom balances its traditional telecom business with ambitious expansions into AI and digital infrastructure services. While the company’s long-term prospects appear strong, the market’s muted reaction reflects a wait-and-see approach by shareholders.

SK Telecom Brings Startups to Europe

SK Telecom will operate a dedicated exhibition hall at MWC26 and hold an investment briefing on March 4, inviting European venture capitalists to engage directly with the 15 selected startups. The participants span multiple sectors, including AI consulting, optimization, cybersecurity, data infrastructure, renewable energy, ecosystem restoration, and digital solutions for stress management and sustainability.

Seven of these startups will participate in a focused investment briefing to explore deeper engagement with investors. By connecting emerging companies with European venture capitalists, SK Telecom seeks to strengthen global visibility for its domestic startups while positioning itself as a key player in AI and ESG innovation.

Driving a Multi-Trillion-Won AI Shift

The initiative aligns with SK Telecom’s broader transformation from a telecom operator to an “AI and digital infrastructure company.” The firm plans to invest ₩5 trillion over five years in AI ventures, with the goal of generating AI-related revenue of at least the same amount by 2030.

Through its U.S.-based corporate venture capital arm, SK Telecom Americas (SKTA), the company has already invested in global AI firms, including the U.S. startup Together AI. MWC26 continues the company’s previous efforts to help domestic startups gain international exposure, following a similar program at MWC/4YFN in 2024.

Supporting Startups While Expanding Influence

SK Telecom’s approach demonstrates how incumbents can use their scale to accelerate emerging technology growth. Startups such as Coxwave, an AI service consulting firm participating in the Barcelona briefing, gain visibility and direct access to European investors, as well as SK Telecom’s enterprise sales channels.

This strategy allows SK Telecom to diversify beyond connectivity, explore new revenue streams, and strengthen its role as a facilitator of AI and ESG solutions. Other telecom and industrial firms may follow suit, using similar models to scout, package, and distribute high-potential startups globally.

Investors Eye Long-Term AI Potential

Despite the modest stock decline, SK Telecom’s focus on AI and ESG innovation highlights its strategic shift toward sectors likely to define future growth. By bridging domestic startups with international investors, the company builds a foundation for sustainable growth and global expansion.

Analysts emphasize that while short-term stock performance may show minor dips, the company’s multi-trillion-won AI investment and startup support could offer significant long-term upside. The MWC26 event will serve as a key moment for SK Telecom to translate innovation and partnerships into tangible investor interest and revenue growth.

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