Factory's Post is back to deliver the insights you need for your business growth.💡 We've gathered the latest business trends, useful information for market entry, and hot news from the Korea-Europe ecosystem!

Hello from 123 Factory!

As autumn settles in, Europe’s startup and innovation ecosystem continues to gain momentum. October brings new opportunities for companies, investors, and innovators to connect, exchange ideas, and explore collaborations across industries and borders.

At 123 Factory, we are continuing our efforts to bridge Korea’s innovation ecosystem with Europe through new partnerships, startup programs, and cross-border business opportunities. As Korean deep-tech startups increasingly look toward the European market, we remain committed to fostering meaningful connections between startups, corporates, and innovation partners.

In this month’s newsletter, we bring you the latest developments in technology, investment, and EU–Korea collaboration, highlighting emerging opportunities and trends shaping the European innovation landscape.

We hope you enjoy this month’s edition and find new inspiration for collaboration and growth.

123 Factory News

🤝Korea–Germany Bio & Healthcare Partnerships Continue in Frankfurt This October

The KOR-DEU Bio & Healthcare Online Pre-Seminar 2026 has successfully concluded, supporting Korean and German bio and healthcare companies in exploring opportunities in the German and wider European markets. The seminar covered key topics including European market entry strategies, digital health and DiGA in Germany, EU MDR and CE certification, and opportunities to connect with German healthcare clusters and potential partners.

Building on these insights, the KOR-DEU Innovation Bio & Healthcare Partnering Day 2026 will take place in Frankfurt this October. Organised by Korea’s Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS), the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Frankfurt, and 123 Factory, the event will bring together selected Korean bio and healthcare companies, European businesses, healthcare clusters, hospitals, and research institutes. Through expert sessions, partner discussions, a panel discussion, Korean startup pitches, and business networking, participants will have opportunities to explore potential partnerships and develop new business connections.

Join us on October 27 in Schwalbach am Taunus to continue the conversation and turn new insights into meaningful cross-border collaborations.

• Date: Tuesday, October 27, 2026, 14:00–18:00

• Venue: Best Western Plus iO Hotel, Schwalbach am Taunus

• Organisers: Korea’s Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS), the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Frankfurt, and 123 Factory

• Registration: Register via Eventbrite

🚗Korean Mobility Startups Meet German Industry Leaders in Stuttgart

On October 14, 123 Factory, brought together Korean mobility and deep-tech startups with representatives from German companies, industry experts, and innovation partners in Stuttgart for Discover Korea’s Future Mobility Technologies.

The event featured pitches from eight Korean startups showcasing innovative solutions across the automotive and mobility value chain, including software-defined vehicles (SDVs), electric vehicle (EV) intelligence, advanced manufacturing, autonomous mobility, and AI-powered semiconductor technologies. The pitches highlighted the diversity of Korea’s deep-tech ecosystem and its potential to address emerging challenges in the European automotive industry.

Following the pitches, participants engaged in active networking and discussions, exploring potential applications, technical synergies, and opportunities for future collaboration. The event concluded successfully, creating valuable connections between Korean innovators and German industry stakeholders.

By bringing startups and established companies together, 123 Factory continues to strengthen Korea–Germany innovation ties and create pathways for Korean deep-tech startups to enter the European market.

🌏  Building Businesses Across Asia and Europe: 123 Factory at AsiaBerlin Masterclass

What does it take to build a business across Asia and Europe? Eunseo Yi, Founder & CEO of 123 Factory, explored this question as a speaker at the AsiaBerlin Masterclass: Build Global, Start in Berlin, sharing her personal journey and first-hand experiences of building businesses between Korea and Europe.

The session addressed the realities of cross-border entrepreneurship, from navigating cultural differences to overcoming unexpected challenges and learning along the way. Engaging discussions and thoughtful questions from aspiring founders highlighted the growing interest in building businesses across international markets.

123 Factory would like to thank AsiaBerlin, START Berlin, NLND, and EATINGPAPERS for making the event possible, with special appreciation to Alice Zhai of EATINGPAPERS for her excellent organisation and behind-the-scenes efforts.

By sharing practical experiences and connecting aspiring founders with the realities of international entrepreneurship, initiatives like this help inspire the next generation of globally minded entrepreneurs.

🚀 Korea Innovation Night Brings Korean Deep-Tech Startups and German Partners Together in Munich

During Bits & Pretzels 2026, 123 Factory brought together Korean deep-tech startups, investors, corporates, and innovation ecosystem partners for Korea Innovation Night in Munich. The evening featured startup pitches, meaningful conversations, and opportunities to explore new business connections between Korea and Europe.

123 Factory extends its sincere thanks to Jinhoon J., Attorney-at-Law at Baker Tilly Germany, and the entire Baker Tilly team for their generous support in making the event possible. Their expertise and understanding of the needs of Korean companies entering the German market highlighted the importance of strong local partners in facilitating successful cross-border business development.

The event created valuable opportunities for exchange and collaboration, with conversations continuing beyond the official programme. Building on these connections, 123 Factory looks forward to helping Korean startups turn new relationships into concrete business opportunities across Europe.

From Circuit to Product: Connecting Hardware Founders with Engineering Expertise in Berlin

On September 24, MotionLab.Berlin hosted “From Circuit to Product: WE Day” in collaboration with Würth Elektronik, bringing together hardware founders, technical experts, product engineers, and small manufacturing businesses.

The event highlighted how access to hardware components, practical technical guidance, and opportunities to test solutions before making significant investments can help smaller companies overcome product development challenges. These resources are relevant across a wide range of industries, from medical devices to solar technology.

Beyond technical knowledge-sharing, the event provided a platform for founders and engineering professionals to exchange ideas, build connections, and strengthen Berlin’s local hardware and manufacturing community. For Korean hardware and DeepTech startups exploring the European market, connecting with local engineering experts and manufacturing partners can be just as important as finding commercial partners. Initiatives like WE Day create practical opportunities to explore technical collaboration and build relationships within the local innovation ecosystem.

Investment

🧑‍💻📈South Korea Plans $3.5 Billion Investment in Next-Generation AI

South Korea has announced plans for a KRW 4.7 trillion (approximately $3.5 billion) frontier AI development initiative, scheduled to begin in March 2027. The programme reflects the country's ambition to strengthen its capabilities in advanced AI and compete internationally in the development of next-generation models. The investment signals a continued commitment to AI research and infrastructure as strategic priorities for the Korean technology sector.

European AI companies, research institutions, and infrastructure providers may find opportunities for joint research, technical partnerships, and collaboration around AI systems and supporting technologies.

🤖Korean AI Chips and Homegrown Models Power a New Government Chatbot 

Korea Venture Investment is developing a website chatbot that combines FuriosaAI’s second-generation AI accelerator, RNGD, with Upstage’s Solar large language model. The project puts technologies developed by Korean startups into practical use within a public-sector financial institution. It also provides a real-world test of locally developed AI hardware and software, with the potential to reduce reliance on foreign GPUs and lower computing costs.

For European organisations exploring more diversified AI supply chains and locally developed AI hardware and models, the project offers a relevant example of how domestic technologies can be integrated into practical applications.

🪙Lam Research Launches New Fund for Korean Semiconductor Startups 

Global semiconductor equipment supplier Lam Research is joining forces with Hana Ventures to launch the Lam Research–Hana Semiconductor Unicorn Fund, targeting Korean startups and emerging technology companies. The fund will focus on manufacturing AI, robotics, advanced packaging, and new materials, combining investment with opportunities to support technology development and business growth.

The initiative highlights growing corporate interest in Korea’s semiconductor startup ecosystem. European equipment manufacturers, materials suppliers, and deep-tech investors could explore complementary technologies and cross-border partnerships with Korean innovators.

➡️EU Companies Head to Seoul to Explore Digital Technology Partnerships 

The EU Business Hub is bringing approximately 50 European companies to South Korea for the Korea Electronics Show 2026 in Seoul. The business mission includes exhibition opportunities, tailored meetings with Korean companies and research institutes, market briefings, and networking sessions. Participating businesses will explore developments in digital technologies and identify potential partners in one of Asia’s major technology markets.

The programme offers European technology companies a structured route to connect with Korean buyers, validate market opportunities, and develop commercial partnerships. It also creates opportunities for Korean startups and corporates to connect with European technology providers.

For more details, visit the EU Business Hub website.

🚀 Discover 123 Factory’s Portfolio Startups 

We are also excited to introduce our new portfolio startup page, designed to make it easier for European companies, investors, and ecosystem partners to discover innovative Korean startups.

The page is still in its early stage, and more than 100 additional startups will be added over time. We invite you to check back regularly and explore new opportunities for collaboration with Korea’s most promising founders.

Explore our portfolio here: portfolio.123factory.de/ 

Meet New Startups!

We'd like to take a moment to introduce you to some of the companies to watch in the Korea–Europe innovation ecosystem. Today, we introduce you to YGGR, a Korean foodtech company behind Lazy Yogurt, a premium Greek yogurt brand made through a 72-hour whey-straining process. Combining in-house manufacturing with its own brand and marketing capabilities, YGGR is expanding its presence in Japan and exploring opportunities for international growth, including potential partnerships with European retailers, food distributors, and franchise operators.

Upcoming Events

• KOR-DEU Innovation Bio & Healthcare Partnering Day 2026
  27 Oct | Frankfurt, Germany | Bio & Healthcare, MedTech, Digital Health
  A partnering event bringing together Korean and German bio and healthcare companies and relevant institutions to explore business opportunities, discuss potential collaborations, and build cross-border partnerships in the German and European healthcare markets.

• EU Business Hub – Korea Electronics Show 2026
  13–16 Oct | Seoul, South Korea | Digital Technology, Electronics, B2B Partnerships
  A business mission bringing European companies to South Korea to explore digital technology opportunities, meet potential Korean business partners, and develop commercial connections through tailored B2B meetings and exhibition activities.

• Slush 2026
  18–19 Nov | Helsinki, Finland | Startups, Venture Capital, Deep Tech, Innovation
  One of Europe's leading startup and technology events, connecting founders, investors, and industry leaders through networking, investor meetings, and discussions on emerging technologies and global business opportunities.

• Web Summit 2026
  9–12 Nov | Lisbon, Portugal | Technology, AI, Startups, Investment
  A major international technology conference bringing together startups, investors, corporates, and technology leaders to explore emerging trends, discover innovative companies, and build partnerships across the global technology ecosystem.

• MEDICA 2026
  16–19 Nov | Düsseldorf, Germany | Healthcare, MedTech, Digital Health, Medical Devices
  One of the world's leading medical technology trade fairs, bringing together healthcare companies, medical device manufacturers, startups, researchers, and healthcare professionals to explore innovations, establish partnerships, and discuss developments in the global healthcare market.

• electronica 2026
  10–13 Nov | Munich, Germany | Electronics, Semiconductors, Automotive, Embedded Systems
  A leading international electronics trade fair showcasing components, systems, applications, and technologies across the electronics industry. The event connects manufacturers, suppliers, developers, and technology companies working in areas such as automotive electronics, embedded systems, and semiconductor technologies.

Thank you for reading Factory’s Post!
We’re always open to exciting news, promotions, and proposals to share with the 123 community. Feel free to contact [email protected], we’d love to hear from you! 😀