FAQ’s

Yes. Companies, including those having participated to previous editions of the EU Gateway /EU Business venues programme, are allowed to participate to a maximum of three business missions within the framework of the EU Business Hub programme.  

Yes. The eligibility criteria does not exclude companies that are already internationalised in both target markets. 

Business missions taking place in Japan will cover the two sectors of digital solutions and green and low-carbon technologies. 

Business missions in the Republic of Korea will cover the three sectors of digital solutions, green and low-carbon technologies, and healthcare and medical equipment. 

SMEs and startups have the possibility to participate to a maximum of three business missions distributed across both target countries, meaning that they will be allowed to participate to a maximum of two business missions in the same country. 

The programme provides strategic coaching to make sure participants are well prepared before the start of their business mission. The coaching programme encompasses pre-departure preparation through coaching sessions on market opportunities, local business culture, sector briefs. Companies will also receive tailored guidance and market insights that will equip them with the necessary knowledge to embark on their business mission. This includes preparing a tailored company & business profile that defines the products/services the company focuses on as part of their international strategy and the kinds of business partners they are looking for. A well-defined company & business profile is the basis for the matchmaking efforts of the EU Business Hub on behalf of each participant ahead of the business mission week as well as targeted promotion in the target market. 

The EU Business Hub offers companies a cost-effective way to explore the Japanese and Korean markets. Participating companies will benefit from shared resources and collective activities specifically designed for each Business Mission. Additionally, the programme will cover accommodation costs with a maximum EU contribution of EUR 1.000,-per company (4-night stay, one room per company). In addition, the programme will co-finance 80% of (optional) customised services with a maximum EU contribution of EUR 1000,- per company. 

Companies will benefit from logistical support and assistance before, during, and after their business mission. This includes the booking of hotel accommodation, the creation of a business mission catalogue and digital promotional material, the organisation of tours, site visits and individual business meetings, assistance in shipping, and other services in line with the customised services catalogue.

During the business mission week, the team will provide companies with a tailored agenda and assist them with the installation of an exhibition booth, design and on-site interpretation, and other logistical support companies may need.

Companies participating to the programme will see their visibility increase as the EU Business Hub programme aims to strategically promote companies’ profiles, products and services throughout each business mission. During the business missions, companies will have the opportunity to engage with    Korean/Japanese companies who will be visiting the programme’s exhibition space. In addition, companies participating to the programme will be invited to engage in carefully tailored matchmaking activities with key local companies and will benefit from a series of other networking opportunities. The programme will also provide companies with the necessary support to ensure a valuable and fruitful exposure of their brand throughout the entire duration of the business mission.  

As long as an EU company is eligible to participate to the programme, the company can decide to apply to any business mission proposed by the EU Business Hub. We however recommend companies to look at the different elements that each business mission provides before applying to one of them.

All our missions are organised in parallel to a major sector-related event in each country; choosing the right mission that corresponds the most to your needs is therefore important to make sure your company targets the right audience, beyond the services we provide you in a tailored way.

Based on each participating company’s strategy and after a detailed market research, the EU Business Hub team will organise individual B2B meetings between participating companies and companies from local markets. 

In addition to the standard services provided by the programme, the EU Business Hub offers companies with a series of optional customised services that are co-financed by the programme, this includes legal advice that may concern e.g. certification procedures, import procedures, regulatory matters, local legislation, etc.. In addition, other such customised services can be provided including forensic information on local companies, translation, interpretation, and printing. These services are available upon request.  

A maximum of 50 companies will be selected for each business mission. 

European companies - who have been selected to take part in a Business Mission of the EU Business Hub - are carefully selected via a competitive selection process. Each participant in the EU Business Hub Programme benefits from:

• Professional coaching and support that includes market intelligence, support in preparation for the business mission, customised services, targeted promotion and visibility , business matchmaking, and participation in a fully organised Business
  Mission week in the target country that provides ample opportunities to explore the market, network and meet business counterparts to establish strategic partnerships; and
• Financial support up to 80% of the total cost for both the accommodation during the Business Mission week ( and max. EUR 1 000 per company) and customised services EUR 1 000 max. per company as well)

Participating companies are expected to:

• Take part in all mandatory activities of the Programme (such as the pre departure meeting, attendance to all days of the Business Mission week and completion of debriefing sessions and questionnaires).
• Take their participation seriously by devoting the required resources and commitment to take part in the activities of the Business Mission Programme.
• Carefully consider these expectations and requirements when accepting their participation in the Business Mission and only cancel their participation in cases of force majeure.

Each selected participant (company) is expected to follow the below process:

1. Upon selection, review and accept of the conditions for participation, and of this cancelation policy.
2. Upon acceptance of participation, carefully assess the Business Mission Programme and the associated activities required to ensure successful preparation and participation in the EU Business Hub programme. If the participant cannot commit to taking part in all mandatory activities and/or is not able to dedicate the appropriate resources to the Business Mission, the selected company is encouraged to discuss this with the team of the EU Business Hub Programme and consider cancellation.
3. Should a company not be able to meet these expectations, they are expected to either not accept their participation or cancel their participation in writing to the EU Business Hub Programme before the cancelation deadline (namely two weeks before the Pre-Departure Meeting of the Business Mission).

Consequences in case of late cancellations and disregard of the EU Business Hub programme’s requirements:

• Any cancellation of participation prior to the set deadline means that other waitlisted companies will be given the opportunity to benefit from the EU Business Hub Programme. Hence, any late cancellations will negatively impact the programme i.e. minimise the possibility of waitlisted companies to participate, leading to a lost opportunity.
• Cancellations after the set deadline will only be considered in duly documented cases (i.e. force majeure). In any other case, the withdrawing company will not benefit from the financial support of the EU Business Hub Programme.
• The financial support of the EU Business Hub programme (namely up to EUR 1,000 for accommodation costs and up to EUR 1,000 for customised services) is subject to adherence to the programme’s requirements.
• If/when a participating company does not take part in all mandatory activities as described in the Business Mission Programme, any costs incurred by the company in relation to the customised services will not be covered/reimbursed, unless the prior consent of the European Commission was obtained (via the EU Business Hub programme team).