Innovation Hub RheinMain Expands Its Strategic Partnership Network in South Korea
The Innovation Hub RheinMain has taken another important step in strengthening economic cooperation between South Korea and the Frankfurt Rhine-Main region. During a delegation visit to South Korea from 28 June to 4 July 2026, CEO Stephan Wittekind and Korea Advisor Philipp Kim met with leading innovation agencies, business development organizations, and financial institutions to establish long-term partnerships that support Korean companies expanding into Germany and Europe.
The mission focused on building a structured network of Korean partner organizations that actively support startups, scale-ups, and medium-sized enterprises in their international expansion. Throughout the visit, the delegation explored opportunities to create direct pathways for Korean businesses seeking a European presence through the Innovation Hub RheinMain.
A Strong Foundation for Future Cooperation
South Korea has built one of the world’s most advanced innovation ecosystems. Regional governments actively support startups and growing companies through dedicated innovation centers, business accelerators, and international expansion programs.
Following extensive preparation and discussions led by Philipp Kim, five key organizations were identified as strategic partners for future cooperation with the Innovation Hub RheinMain. The shared objective is to simplify market entry into Germany and create structured Soft Landing opportunities for Korean companies planning to establish operations in Europe.
Memorandum of Understanding Signed with the Seoul Business Agency
One of the highlights of the delegation was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Seoul Business Agency (SBA), one of South Korea’s largest organizations supporting startups and small and medium-sized enterprises.
The Seoul Business Agency operates five innovation centers, supports approximately 2,400 companies, and provides an ecosystem with more than 27,000 jobs. Companies with strong international growth potential receive dedicated support from specialized advisory boards and international business experts.
During discussions with Director JongWoo Kim, both organizations identified significant opportunities for collaboration in helping Korean companies establish a presence in Germany and across Europe. The Seoul Business Agency also expressed interest in establishing its own representation within the Innovation Hub RheinMain, creating an even closer bridge between Seoul and the Frankfurt Rhine-Main region.
Further Strategic Partnerships in Preparation
In addition to the signed agreement with the Seoul Business Agency, several further cooperation agreements are currently being prepared.
Pangyo Techno Valley
Often referred to as the „Silicon Valley of Korea,“ Pangyo Techno Valley is home to around 1,780 companies employing more than 83,000 people. The technology cluster focuses on innovative businesses that have moved beyond the startup phase and are entering international growth markets.
The organization showed strong interest in working with the Innovation Hub RheinMain to support Korean companies entering Germany. A formal cooperation agreement is expected to be signed later this year.
Busan Economic Promotion Agency (BEPA)
The delegation also met with representatives of the Busan Economic Promotion Agency (BEPA).
As South Korea’s second-largest city and one of Asia’s most important logistics centers, Busan offers significant opportunities for international business cooperation. Discussions focused on supporting Korean companies entering the German market and exploring joint participation in major international trade fairs in Germany, including Hannover Messe, Automechanika Frankfurt, Ambiente Frankfurt, and BAU Munich.
Gyeonggido Business & Science Accelerator (GBSA)
Another important meeting took place with the Gyeonggido Business & Science Accelerator (GBSA).
The organization supports approximately 3,720 companies with more than 50,000 employees and plays a key role in helping innovative businesses scale internationally.
Discussions also included future cooperation around the G-Fair Korea international trade exhibition, one of Korea’s leading business events, creating additional opportunities for German-Korean business collaboration.
Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK)
The delegation concluded its institutional meetings with the Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK), one of the country’s leading government-backed financial institutions supporting small and medium-sized enterprises.
The discussions focused on supporting Korean companies with international expansion and exploring future cooperation with the Innovation Hub RheinMain. The bank expressed strong interest in establishing an official partnership to support Korean businesses entering the German market.
First Company Already Expanding to Germany
The visit has already produced concrete business results.
The Groo International, an innovative Korean company specializing in Smart Farming and advanced strawberry cultivation technologies, will establish its German operations at the Innovation Hub RheinMain beginning in September 2026.
The company has already acquired a German GmbH and is currently completing its corporate restructuring. As part of its European expansion, The Groo International is now searching for approximately 300 square metres of production and development space in the Frankfurt Rhine-Main region for its first pilot production facility.
Creating a Strong Korea–Germany Innovation Network
The delegation demonstrated that Korean organizations are actively seeking trusted European partners capable of supporting companies throughout their international expansion journey.
Building on the success of this visit, the Innovation Hub RheinMain will now focus on:
- Finalizing additional partnership agreements with Korean innovation organizations.
- Supporting the market entry of further Korean companies into Germany.
- Developing a structured Korea Soft Landing Programme for businesses expanding to Europe.
- Organizing future delegation visits and business exchange programmes.
- Expanding cooperation with Korean business development agencies, innovation hubs, and public institutions.
Innovation Hub RheinMain: A Gateway for Korean Companies Entering Europe
The successful delegation to South Korea confirms the growing international recognition of the Innovation Hub RheinMain as a trusted partner for global business expansion.
By connecting Korean innovation ecosystems with the Frankfurt Rhine-Main region, the Innovation Hub creates practical pathways for companies seeking sustainable growth in Germany and across Europe.
With strategic partnerships, local expertise, flexible office solutions, and comprehensive Soft Landing services, the Innovation Hub RheinMain continues to strengthen its role as one of Europe’s leading entry points for international companies looking to establish a successful European presence.