Factory's Post 🇪🇺 #8

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!

IFA has stood as Europe's premier consumer electronics showcase for over 100 years, evolving from Einstein's radio demonstrations in 1930 to today's cutting-edge AI, mobility, and smart home innovations. This year's event in Berlin proved once again why it remains a crucial gateway for Asian companies entering the European market. The newly introduced Innovation Awards program recognised groundbreaking technologies that are reshaping our digital future.

🇰🇷 Korean Companies Takes Centre Stage

Korean giants Samsung and LG dominated this year's Innovation Awards, with Samsung securing 26 awards, including 9 top honours, while LG claimed 17 awards, earning the coveted "Best of IFA" distinction. These victories underscore IFA's strategic importance as Asian companies compete for European market share against established local players like Miele and Bosch. The success demonstrates how IFA serves as more than just an exhibition – it's a battlefield for global market positioning.

🌍 IFA NEXT: The Launchpad for Asian Startups

Within IFA's ecosystem, IFA NEXT has emerged as the premier showcase for breakthrough technologies from emerging companies worldwide. This specialised innovation hub attracts global investors, corporate partners, and media, making it an ideal platform for Asian startups to introduce their solutions to European markets. The zone represents IFA's commitment to fostering international collaboration and providing smaller companies with opportunities typically reserved for industry giants.

🏆 With 123 Factory: EntWick's Innovation Award Recognition

Among this year's standout achievements, EntWick, supported by 123 Factory and KISED, claimed the prestigious "Best in IFA NEXT" Innovation Award for their revolutionary electroceutical therapy solutions. EntWick's non-invasive medical devices for arthritis, hair loss, and deep vein thrombosis represent exactly the kind of innovative healthcare technology that global markets are seeking. This recognition validates the growing potential of Korean medtech companies in addressing Europe's ageing population challenges.

At 123 Factory, we remain dedicated to building bridges between Korea and Europe, empowering startups to thrive and shape the future of innovation across both ecosystems. 🚀

Policy

🧠 Korea’s Big Push to Become an AI Powerhouse

South Korea is doubling down on AI and robotics as key engines of growth, with the government pledging full policy support to help domestic firms lead globally. Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol emphasised the urgency of staying ahead in an era where "only the winner survives," highlighting Korea’s advantage in sectors like humanoid robots and autonomous vehicles.

The push is backed by five consortiums led by major players such as Naver Cloud, LG AI Research, and SK Telecom, which will receive state support to build homegrown foundation models. These efforts are closely aligned with the National AI Strategy Committee, chaired by President Lee Jae Myung, which aims to place Korea among the world’s top three AI powerhouses.

To fuel this ambition, President Lee announced a 150 trillion-won (US$120 billion) public-private fund to channel resources into strategic industries, including semiconductors, biotech, batteries, and defence. This fund is designed to bridge the gap between startups and large conglomerates, ensuring Korea’s AI ecosystem thrives with both innovation and capital.

Partnerships

⚡ EU-Korea Explores Digital and Green Futures

At the World Climate Industry Expo in Busan, the EU Delegation to Korea hosted a high-level seminar, “AI & Energy: Delivering EU and Korea’s Digital and Green Ambitions.” The event brought together officials, industry leaders, and academics to discuss how AI can both optimise energy systems and drive up energy demand, highlighting its dual role in the clean energy transition.

Speakers from the European Commission, Finland, and the Netherlands stressed the urgency of collaboration to ensure sustainable digitalisation, with EU strategies like the Energy Efficiency Directive and the upcoming Cloud and AI Development Act aiming to balance growth with climate neutrality. On the Korean side, experts from KISTEP, KIER, and MOTIE underscored how surging AI infrastructure is reshaping national energy policy, projecting a threefold increase in data centre demand by 2038.

Industry leaders from Ørsted Korea and Siemens Korea echoed the opportunities and risks, pointing to AI’s ability to integrate renewables while calling for stronger policy frameworks. The seminar concluded with a clear message: EU-Korea cooperation is essential for aligning digital innovation with energy security and climate goals. Read more.

Market Expansion

🚧 Korean Startups Confront EU’s Rising Compliance Barriers

Korean startups and SMEs in Europe are struggling with GDPR and new digital rules like the Data Act, Digital Markets Act, and the upcoming AI Act. A recent KISA survey shows that 7 out of 10 firms face compliance challenges, with many lacking in-house experts and reliable local partners.

To address this, KISA and the Personal Information Protection Commission are strengthening support through the EU Data Protection Cooperation Center in Belgium. Planned measures include a Data Protection Officer (DPO) network, tailored seminars, and practical compliance guides for Korean firms.

By providing local expertise and resources, Korea aims to lower entry barriers and build trust for its innovators in Europe’s tightly regulated markets. This move not only helps startups survive but also lays the foundation for global growth in data-driven sectors. Read more.

Meet New Startups!

We'd like to take a moment to introduce you to some of the startups that will be joining us in the coming days. Today, we introduce you to FUST Lab, a cutting-edge startup specialising in precision emulsification & dispersion technology.

⚡ Redefining Nano Dispersion for a Cleaner Future

Their flagship product “DEBREX” delivers surfactant-free nano dispersions across lab, pilot, and full production scales; ideal for sectors like cosmetics, biotech, batteries, and nanomaterials.

With offices in Daejeon, Seoul, and Tokyo, FUST Lab is poised to support global brands seeking cleaner, high-performance formulations. Their expertise in water treatment and certified production processes shows strong potential for partnerships in Europe where demand for sustainable, high-purity materials is growing.

123 Factory, Now

🧬 KOR-DEU Innovation Bio & Healthcare Partnering Day 2025

Bio/health professionals, this is for you! The KOR-DEU Innovation Bio & Healthcare Partnering Day 2025 (Oct 23) brings together ~50 key players from Korea and Germany across pharma, hospitals, investors, and research institutes. Backed by the Korean Ministry of SMEs and Startups, the program features EU entry insights, pitching sessions, panel talks, and 1:1 partnering opportunities, plus case studies of successful collaborations.

Don’t miss the chance to connect with pioneering startups, potential partners, and innovation leaders driving the future of bio & healthcare across both regions.

👉 Event Details
👉 Register Now!

🚀 123 Factory is now in partnership with Climate-KIC to deliver DeepTech ClimAccelerator KOR-GER! 🌍

This marks a big milestone for us — 123 Factory has been selected as the 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗞𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 to join the global ClimAccelerator community! Together, we’ll be working with climate-tech start-ups from Korea and Germany to co-create, scale faster, and spark real impact. ✨

Applications for start-ups open soon — so if you’re building solutions for a net-zero, climate-resilient future, stay tuned and get ready!

Upcoming Events

• HEY 2025 
  17-19 September | Changwon, Korea | Renewable Energy 
  The 2025 International Hydrogen and Electric Energy Exhibition aims to be Korea's leading energy-specialised exhibition, serving as a platform for domestic and international companies in the hydrogen, electric, and carbon-neutral sectors

• SURF 2025 Incheon 
  23-24 September | Incheon, Korea | Startups 
  The city’s premier startup event will showcase cutting-edge AI and robotics innovations, fostering collaboration and sharing industry insights

• Korea Life Science Week 2025 
  30 September - 1 October | Seoul, Korea | Bio, Medical, Pharma 
  Global Hub for innovation in life sciences & regenerative medicine

• Seoul ADEX 2025 
  17 October - 24 October | Ilsan, Korea | Aerospace & Defense 
  Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition supported by Ministry of National Defense

• Korea Auto Industry & Global TransporTech Show 
  22 October - 24 October | Ilsan, Korea | Mobility 
  The comprehensive exhibition of passenger, commercial, special-purpose vehicles, and future mobility

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! 😀