GrantFinder
Get help ΕΛ
OpenEU directEU-wide

EU Business Hub – SME business missions to Japan and Korea (2027)

EU Business Hub – Japan and the Republic of Korea (EU-funded programme, successor of EU Gateway)

Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση – πρόγραμμα EU Business Hub, που προβάλλεται από τις Αντιπροσωπείες της ΕΕ στην Ιαπωνία και την Κορέα (European Union – EU Business Hub programme, promoted by the EU Delegations to Japan and Korea)

In plain words

The EU helps you find customers in Japan or Korea: you join a one-week business mission at a major trade fair, with a spot in the EU pavilion, pre-arranged meetings with local companies and coaching. It covers up to €1,000 of hotel costs, the fair fee and 80% of extra services (e.g. translation) up to €1,000. It is for SMEs with business experience outside the EU, and you pay a €1,000 deposit that you get back.

Who can apply

SMEs and start-ups headquartered in the EU, wholly or majority EU-owned, in business for over 5 years (3 for start-ups), active in the mission's sector (clean energy/green tech or healthcare/medical equipment) and with a track record of business outside the EU.

What it pays for

A 5-day mission at a trade fair with up to 15 pre-arranged B2B meetings with local companies, market briefings, site visits and networking events, coaching before you travel, interpretation and a space in the EU pavilion. The EU pays up to €1,000 for 4 hotel nights (one room per company), the fair participation fee, and 80% of optional services (translation, printing, legal advice, booth decoration) up to €1,000.

What must be true for you

Tick what applies. Saved on this device only.

  • An SME or start-up headquartered in the EU, wholly or majority EU-owned.
  • In business for over 5 years (3 for start-ups), with accounts for the last 3 years (2 for start-ups).
  • A track record of business cooperation outside the EU and a solid plan for the Japanese or Korean market.
  • Activity in the mission's sector (clean energy/green tech or healthcare/medical equipment).
  • A €1,000 deposit after selection, refunded if you take part as agreed; up to 3 missions per company (at most 2 in the same country).

How to apply

  1. Register on eubusinesshub.eu and log in to your dashboard.
  2. Pick a mission from the Missions catalogue and submit an expression of interest.
  3. If you are found eligible, submit a full application before the mission's deadline.
  4. If selected, pay the €1,000 deposit and take part in the coaching and pre-departure briefing.
  5. Travel to the fair; the deposit is refunded after you fill in a short questionnaire after the mission.

Where to apply: EU Business Hub – eubusinesshub.eu/user/register

Deadline

Each mission has its own deadline: Korea Smart Grid Expo (Seoul, 31 Jan–4 Feb 2027) by 30 Oct 2026; KIMES medical equipment (Seoul, 17–21 Mar 2027) by 15 Nov 2026; Smart Energy Week (Tokyo, 22–26 Mar 2027) by 27 Nov 2026; Medical Japan (Tokyo, 24–28 May 2027) by 29 Jan 2027.

Sources we read

Research notes: EU-funded programme: EEAS (EU Delegation to Japan) page announces 10 missions in Japan and 10 in Korea over four years for EU SMEs in green, digital and healthcare; official site eubusinesshub.eu. The pages read do not name the EU funding instrument or the implementing contractor; the site presents it as the continuation of EU Gateway. Open missions on 2026-10-18, exact deadlines from each mission page: Korea Smart Grid Expo 2027 – 30 Oct 2026; KIMES 2027 – 15 Nov 2026; Smart Energy Week Spring 2027 – 27 Nov 2026; Medical Japan 2027 – 29 Jan 2027 (the catalogue's 'days left' counters do not match these dates). closes = last open deadline: update the deadline note as missions close and add new missions when they appear. amount_max 2,000 = €1,000 accommodation cap + €1,000 customised-services cap (80% co-funding); the fair fee, EU pavilion space, coaching, interpretation and matchmaking come on top (no value stated). Flights are not listed among covered costs. €1,000 deposit refunded after the post-event questionnaire, forfeited on late cancellation. The eligibility PDF was partly garbled: criteria read as EU SME/start-up, EU HQ, wholly or majority EU-owned, >5 years (3 for start-ups), 3 years of accounts (2 for start-ups), 'sufficient turnover and number of employees', track record outside the EU, market-entry strategy. Selection is competitive with a waitlist (up to 50 companies per mission).

See also