Be part of the Bioeconomy in South Korea!

Are you able to develop your progressive enterprise and discover new horizons? South Korea goals to develop into a worldwide chief within the bioeconomy by 2035, driving development by means of superior biotechnology, digital innovaiton, and sustainability. This creates thrilling alternatives for UK engineering biology firms to interact with one among Asia’s most dynamic markets.

The UK’s Division for Enterprise and Commerce (DBT) is worked up to announce this Engineering Biology Commerce Mission to South Korea in March 2026.

We Want You! 

The UK Authorities defines engineering biology because the design, scaling and commercialisation of biology-derived services and products that may remodel sectors or produce current merchandise extra sustainably. It attracts on the instruments of artificial biology to create the following wave of innovation within the bioeconomy.

We’re searching for UK engineering biology firms growing progressive options for agriculture and meals, together with:

  • Precision fermentation for different proteins and purposeful substances.
  • Biomanufacturing of sustainable meals components and bio-based packaging.
  • Mobile agriculture, together with cultured meat and dairy options.
  • Meals security and traceability options utilizing bioinformatics and biosensors.

Alternatively, are you an engineering biology firm that has functions within the following areas of the engineering biology worth chain? 

  • Nucleotide and protein synthesis: This contains the synthesis of genetic vectors (equivalent to RNA, DNA, plasmids) and proteins.
  • Nucleotide sequencing: This contains the sequencing of RNA and DNA, in addition to diagnostic platforms for metagenomics.
  • Automation and robotics: Robotics can be utilized in all laboratories, together with biomedical and engineering biology, to automate massive elements of the work of researchers and corporations. On this context robots are used to bodily manipulate gadgets, starting from easy hand instruments to completely autonomous laboratories, together with cloud labs. 
  • Bioinformatics, information, AI, and supercomputing: Bioinformatics and omics in engineering biology is the processing, storing, and analysing of organic information utilizing computational instruments and statistical strategies to interpret massive datasets generated by omics applied sciences. It may be roughly break up into information, software program (together with AI), and {hardware} (together with supercomputing).
  • Analytical instruments: Strategies, strategies and devices for analysing and understanding the behaviour and performance of organic methods, notably these which were engineered or modified.
  • Organic supplies, reagents, and feedstocks: This contains unprocessed main commodities, processed main commodities, processed intermediate commodities, enzymes, and chemical substances mandatory for all engineering biology operations.

Your organization needs to be:

  • Lively in a single or ore of those areas (i.e. engineering biology worth chain space, or functions in agriculture and meals).
  • Prepared for business engagement (with reasonable prospects of producing income in South Korea inside 1-3 years).
  • Export-ready (merchandise/companies appropriate for abroad markets).

Why South Korea?

  • Quickly rising bioeconomy: South Korea is investing closely in biotechnology and bio-based industries, aiming to develop into a worldwide hub for bioinnovation.
  • Authorities dedication: The Korean authorities’s Bio Economic system 2.0 Technique focuses on superior biomanufacturing, healthcare innovation, and inexperienced applied sciences, creating sturdy business alternatives.
  • Funding in inexperienced biology and fermentation-based options: South Korea is prioritising sustainable biomanufacturing, together with fermentation-driven manufacturing of bio-based chemical substances, supplies, and meals substances, as a part of its push towards a low-carbon, round bioeconomy.
  • Innovation ecosystem: South Korea is a tech powerhouse with world-class infrastructure, excessive R&D depth, and openness to worldwide collaboration.
  • Company champions: Residence to main gamers like Samsung Biologics, SK Biopharmaceuticals, and LG Chem, South Korea gives sturdy industrial partnerships and international attain.
  • Gateway to Asia: South Korea’s strategic place gives entry to broader Asian markets.

Why a DBT commerce mission?

Relationship-building is vital to success in South Korea. Our group, alongside embassy employees with deep market perception, will ship a tailor-made programme targeted on business outcomes—connecting UK firms with Korean patrons, companions, and buyers.

What to anticipate?

The agenda is at present being finalised and can rely on the delegates recruited. The commerce mission will happen over one week throughout South Korea’s engineering biology ecosystem. Actions might embrace:

  • Pre-mission and in-market briefings.
  • Curated networking alternatives with Korean stakeholders.
  • Pitching classes to potential patrons and companions.
  • Participation in a roundtable dialogue between UK and Korean authorities, business, and tutorial stakeholders to establish and tackle market entry obstacles and obstacles to commercialisation for engineering biology firms.

Register your curiosity by twenty first December at 23:59 GMT on this hyperlink. 

You may see different open funded alternatives in our Funding Finder.