• València Innovation Capital presents the city’s innovation strategy and the Valencian sandbox in Seoul to startups and stakeholders in the Korean tech ecosystem
• The city is moving forward with a new agreement with the Seoul Business Agency to strengthen collaboration between the two business ecosystems and facilitate the arrival of Korean projects in Valencia
This week, València Innovation Capital strengthened its ties with South Korea’s technology sector. During a series of meetings held in Seoul, officials responsible for the City Council’s innovation strategy presented the opportunities that Valencia offers for developing innovative projects, as well as for serving as a platform for startups to expand into Europe.
Paula Llobet, the councilwoman for Innovation, explained that “Valencia participated in one of the leading events in Seoul’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.” At this event, organized by the City Council of South Korea’s capital, “the city has positioned itself as an attractive destination for innovative companies seeking new opportunities for international growth,” she explained.
The councilwoman emphasized that “Valencia is a city open to talent and international innovation, and that the goal of participating in these events is to show technology companies that they can find an environment in the city where they can test their solutions, grow, and gain access to the European market.”
During this event, València Innovation Capital participated in the DIPS Global Meetup, where it presented the city’s innovation strategy to international companies and stakeholders, with a particular focus on the opportunities offered by Valencia’s sandbox for testing innovative solutions in a real-world urban environment.
“In addition, individual meetings have been held with eight Korean startups interested in exploring the possibility of establishing a presence in Valencia, both to develop pilot projects and to use the city as a platform from which to expand their operations and business in the European market,” Llobet reported.
The international agenda was rounded out by participation in the VIP Networking Night, an event that brought together representatives from Seoul’s technology, investment, and business communities, which helped foster connections and collaboration opportunities for the Valencian ecosystem.
A Bridge Between Seoul and Valencia
Paula Llobet noted that the interest shown by the eight startups during the meetings held in Seoul “represents a first step toward moving forward with potential collaborative projects and pilot initiatives in Valencia, linking the technological capabilities developed in Korea with the needs and opportunities offered by the Valencian ecosystem.”
“In this context, València Innovation Capital and the Seoul Business Agency plan to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in the near future aimed at strengthening the ties between the two ecosystems. The agreement will establish a framework for collaboration to foster future opportunities between companies and startups in both cities,” the councilwoman added.
“This agreement with the Seoul Business Agency represents a very important step toward strengthening the relationship between two innovation ecosystems with a clear international focus. We want this collaboration to translate into real opportunities for companies and startups in Valencia and Seoul, helping them find new partners, develop projects, and break into new markets,” Llobet reiterated.
Valencia, a platform for testing and scaling innovation
“The presentation of the Valencian sandbox to Seoul’s tech ecosystem is in line with one of València Innovation Capital’s strategic priorities: enabling innovative companies to test their solutions under real-world conditions and subsequently connect those technologies with the market and potential customers,” Llobet noted, adding that “this model is part of a broader urban innovation strategy that aims to transform Valencia into a testing ground for new solutions while also attracting talent, investment, and international companies.”
València Innovation Capital’s schedule in Seoul will continue with new meetings with companies from the Korean tech ecosystem. Among them is ZEP, a startup that has expressed interest in exploring the development of a pilot project in València; a meeting is planned with the company to tour its facilities firsthand and discuss potential avenues for collaboration.
“This presence in Seoul thus reinforces Valencia Innovation Capital’s commitment to connecting the Valencian ecosystem with major international innovation hubs and turning those connections into concrete projects, investment, pilot programs, and growth opportunities for the city,” Llobet concluded.