Integrated programme combines business exhibition, business meetings and business networking reception

44 innovative European SMEs and start-ups participate, with active business meetings and exchanges of technologies and solutions

EU Business Hub receives the ‘KES Innovation Partner Award’ at the 15th KES Innovation Awards

(19 October 2026) The EU Business Hub programme has successfully concluded the business mission ‘EU Business Hub @ Korea Electronics Show 2026’, held at COEX in Seoul from 13 to 16 October. Organised in conjunction with Korea Electronics Show 2026 (KES 2026), one of Korea’s leading electronics and IT exhibitions, the event featured an EU Pavilion and facilitated business meetings and technology exchanges between European companies and Korean businesses and organisations.

44 innovative European SMEs and start-ups participated in the event, showcasing products and solutions across advanced technology sectors, including AX (AI Transformation), robotics, mobility, digital health and life, XR and spatial computing, and electronic components and materials. 

The EU Pavilion ran for four days from 13 to 16 October in Hall B of COEX. From their dedicated exhibition booths at the EU pavilion, the European cohort introduced their technological capabilities and innovative solutions to Korean industry representatives. Participating companies held productive business meetings with Korean stakeholders to explore opportunities to enter the Korean market and pursue technology and business cooperation.

Throughout the exhibition, numerous local businesses and industry stakeholders visited the EU Pavilion to experience European technologies and solutions first-hand. To ensure smooth communication between European and Korean stakeholders, the EU Business Hub provided professional interpretation services, supporting substantive discussions on potential cooperation.

During KES 2026, the EU Business Hub received the KES Innovation Partner Award at the 15th KES Innovation Awards. The award recognises organisations that identify outstanding innovative companies through the operation of joint pavilions at KES and contribute to the innovation achievements of participating companies. In addition, 12 products from 11 EU Business Hub participating companies, including SofMedica Ventures, were selected as winners of the KES Innovation Awards and received their awards at the ceremony on 13 October. 

A business networking reception was also held on the evening of 13 October at The Westin Seoul Parnas. Representatives from European and Korean companies and organisations, as well as the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Korea, attended the reception, with approximately 200 participants in total.  The evening featured remarks from the EU Delegation, the European Chamber of Commerce in Korea and the Korea Electronics Association, followed by a celebration of the KES Innovation Awards winners. The event gave participating companies and Korean industry representatives an opportunity to network and explore opportunities for future cooperation. Participants exchanged views on technology and market trends across a range of industries, further expanding business networks between Europe and Korea.

On the evening of 14 October, EU Business Hub participants took part in KES Biz Connect, the official networking programme of KES 2026 held at COEX. The Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Korea joined the Korea Electronics Association and the Consumer Technology Association in addressing participants, underlining the growing links between European and Korean industry.

By bringing together exhibition activities, business meetings and networking in an integrated programme, the event helped expand opportunities for Korea-EU business cooperation in advanced technology sectors. Building on this momentum, the EU Business Hub will continue to support European companies seeking to enter the Korean market and develop partnerships with Korean companies.

The EU Business Hub is an EU-funded programme that supports innovative European SMEs and start-ups in expanding business cooperation and developing partnerships with companies in overseas markets.

The next business exhibition, ‘EU Business Hub @ Korea Smart Grid Expo 2027’, is scheduled to take place from 2 to 4 February 2027. Innovative European companies in the smart grid and energy sectors will participate in the event to explore opportunities for business cooperation with Korean companies and organisations. Companies and industry representatives interested in holding business meetings with European companies at Korea Smart Grid Expo 2027 can find further information and apply through the official EU Business Hub website.