This week, a Tallinn delegation visited South Korea on a business mission aimed at expanding cooperation in innovation and entrepreneurship. The visit focused on creating new opportunities for Tallinn-based companies in the Korean market and promoting Tallinn among Korean businesses as a gateway to Europe.
“South Korea’s experience shows that a complex geopolitical situation does not necessarily prevent a country from attracting foreign investment and developing its economy. On the contrary, a strong innovation ecosystem, international partnerships and support for entrepreneurship can provide an important competitive advantage. I am pleased that Tallinn has established meaningful cooperation with the Seoul Business Agency, enabling us to help Tallinn companies enter the Korean market while supporting Korean start-ups in finding opportunities for growth in Tallinn and the wider European market,” said Tallinn Deputy Mayor Kristjan Järvan.
A central part of the visit was Try Everything, a major start-up and innovation event in Seoul, where Tallinn hosted its own programme and exhibition stand. The programme was opened by Deputy Mayor Kristjan Järvan and Estonian Ambassador to South Korea Tanel Sepp. Tallinn presented its business and innovation ecosystem and the opportunities it offers international companies to test and validate solutions, find partners and enter the European market.
Five Tallinn-based companies participated in the business mission: 5.0Robotics, SafePAS, Digiotouch, UP Catalyst and Creatomus Solutions. At Try Everything, the companies presented their solutions and met potential partners, customers, investors and representatives of innovation organisations.
One concrete outcome of the mission was the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Digiotouch and the Korean company ZEP Co at the Estonian Embassy in Seoul. Digiotouch develops an AI-powered meeting automation solution, while ZEP Co creates interactive digital environments and metaverse solutions. ZEP Co was also selected for Tallinn’s Test in Tallinn innovation programme, through which the company’s solution will be piloted in Estonian schools.
The Tallinn delegation also met representatives of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Digital City Bureau. Discussions focused on exchanging experience in smart-city development and digital innovation, using digital-twin technology, and improving urban safety, resilience and crisis preparedness.
During the visit, the delegation toured Pangyo Techno Valley, one of South Korea’s leading technology and innovation clusters, the MARU360 start-up and entrepreneurship centre, and the internationally recognised robotics company ROBOTIS. The company is best known for its DYNAMIXEL intelligent robotic actuators and its humanoid and service robots. ROBOTIS presented its latest robotics developments, including a humanoid robot currently under development, while the parties discussed rapid advances in robotics and artificial intelligence. Although ROBOTIS technologies are already available in Europe, Tallinn could potentially become the location of the company’s future European headquarters.
The visit took place within the framework of Tallinn’s cooperation and delegation exchange with the Seoul Business Agency. The partnership aims to give Tallinn companies more opportunities to explore Korea’s innovation ecosystem, establish contacts with local partners and enter the Korean market. At the same time, Tallinn is introducing Korean companies to opportunities to test and develop new solutions in the city and use it as a launchpad for entering the European market.
Photo: Tallinn’s exhibition stand at the Try Everything start-up and innovation event in Seoul.
Photo credit: Eneli Amur
