From first meetings to market growth: How Neuroelectrics Barcelona expanded in Korea through the EU Business Hub

For European health-tech SMEs, entering the Republic of Korea can be both attractive and challenging. The market is globally recognised for its advanced healthcare infrastructure, rapid adoption of digital health technologies and strong clinical research ecosystem, but it is also highly competitive and relationship-driven.

For Neuroelectrics Barcelona, participation in two consecutive EU Business Hub healthcare missions to the Republic of Korea helped transform an initial market opportunity into tangible business results.

Building momentum through two consecutive missions
Neuroelectrics develops non-invasive technologies that help clinicians monitor brain activity and deliver personalised treatments for neurological conditions. Through its Enobio®, Starstim® and Neurotwin platforms, the company combines brain monitoring, neurostimulation and advanced data modelling to support research and clinical applications in areas such as epilepsy, neurorehabilitation and mental health.

To support its expansion into the Republic of Korea, Neuroelectrics participated in two healthcare business missions organised by the EU Business Hub. The company first joined Healthcare and Medical Equipment Korea 2025 and returned to Seoul a year later for EU Business Hub @ KIMES 2026. Together, the two missions helped the company move from initial market exploration to measurable commercial growth. 

According to Neuroelectrics, the first mission in 2025 provided an important opportunity to explore the Korean healthcare ecosystem and meet potential partners. Through targeted matchmaking meetings, the company connected with distributors, hospitals and clinical stakeholders relevant to its business objectives.

Within 12 months after participating in the Healthcare and Medical Equipment Korea 2025 business mission, the company generated additional revenue in the Korean market and established a local distribution.

Returning to Seoul for KIMES 2026 allowed Neuroelectrics to continue and deepen these conversations. Rather than approaching the market as a newcomer, the company arrived with stronger visibility, clearer positioning and growing local recognition.

“The value was not in a single meeting,” said Rafal Nowak, Business Development Director at Neuroelectrics. “The missions gave us the opportunity to build relationships over time and gradually turn promising discussions into concrete business opportunities.”

Turning introductions into business partnerships
One of the most important outcomes of the programme was a partnership with Korean distributor Biotech. What began as an initial contact developed into an active business relationship following meetings and technology demonstrations during the missions.

According to Neuroelectrics, meeting in person played an important role in building trust and demonstrating the value of its technology to potential partners and customers. “The missions gave us direct access to stakeholders that would have been very difficult to approach independently as a European SME,” Rafal Nowak explained. “The EU Business Hub created an environment where discussions could move much faster from introductions to tangible outcomes.”
 

The commercial impact followed quickly. Within a year of participating in Healthcare and Medical Equipment Korea 2025, Neuroelectrics reported more than €50,000 in additional revenue generated in the Korean market. According to the company, this growth was driven by sales to leading Korean research hospitals, faster market validation and the ability of its local partner to rapidly introduce its technology into relevant healthcare environments.

Beyond direct sales, the company believes the programme significantly accelerated its market entry process. “The programme shortened our market access journey by more than a year,” said Rafal. “It provided direct access to decision-makers, clinical stakeholders and potential partners that would otherwise have taken considerable time and resources to reach.”

Looking ahead
Today, Neuroelectrics sees the Republic of Korea not only as an important market, but also as a strategic platform for future growth across East Asia. The company plans to expand its presence in Korean home-care clinical trials and mental health clinics while continuing to deploy its Neurotwins technology across the region. “International expansion is a process, not a single moment,” concluded Rafal Nowak. “What made the difference was the opportunity to return to the market, continue the conversations and demonstrate our long-term commitment. That is what ultimately helped us turn interest into business.”