This week, we had the opportunity to spend an incredible week in Seoul, South Korea, as part of the Go International program organized by the Global Incubator Network (GIN) and Advantage Austria.
Representing TAGBASE were the two founders, Manuel Mertl (CEO) and Mario Uher (CTO). Our goal was simple: introduce TAGBASE to the Korean market, meet investors, explore potential partnerships, and better understand one of the world’s most innovative startup ecosystems.
What followed was a week packed with inspiring conversations, new connections, exciting opportunities, and valuable insights.
Our week started at the Global Startup Center (GSC) in Gangnam with a full-day workshop introducing participating startups to the Korean innovation ecosystem.
The day began with welcoming remarks from Wolfgang Köstinger, Austrian Trade Commissioner in Seoul, and Christoph Pekarek from the Global Incubator Network. One of the highlights was hearing startups from different industries present their ideas through short elevator pitches.
We also attended presentations by Diane Hong, Andy Joy, Gen Rim Na, and Ingrid Lampersdorfer, covering topics ranging from cultural differences and doing business in Korea to government-supported startup programs and ecosystem opportunities.
The workshop gave us a strong foundation for the busy days that followed.
A major objective of our trip was meeting investors and introducing TAGBASE to South Korea’s venture capital ecosystem.
Throughout the week, we had the privilege of presenting our company and technology to several leading investment organizations, including:
Each meeting provided valuable feedback and meaningful discussions about the future of trust infrastructure, product authenticity, digital identities for physical products, supply chain transparency, and international growth opportunities.
What was particularly encouraging was seeing how quickly investors understood the global relevance of the problems we are solving. Whether discussing counterfeit products, consumer trust, product authentication, or digital engagement, the conversations consistently reinforced our belief that these challenges exist across industries and across borders.
Alongside investor meetings, we spent significant time discussing potential business partnerships and pilot projects.
One such meeting was with the founder of GURAPA Lab, where we explored potential collaboration opportunities and discussed how our technology could support future projects.
At NEXTRISE 2026, we also met with representatives from LiteOn Technology Corporation, who booked a dedicated one-on-one meeting with us. Together, we discussed how TAGBASE could support supply chain applications and how trusted digital identities could create value within their ecosystem. We also exchanged perspectives on future collaboration and investment opportunities.
These conversations demonstrated the broad range of industries where our technology can create value beyond product authentication alone.
One of the most exciting aspects of the trip was meeting some of South Korea’s most influential figures in the creative and entertainment industries.
We had the opportunity to meet Ryan Lee, founder of Pinkfong, the company behind the globally recognized Baby Shark phenomenon. Together, we explored how TAGBASE could be used within merchandise, collectibles, toys, and consumer products, while also discussing opportunities in industries such as cosmetics and branded goods.
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Another memorable meeting took place at the office of Lee Sang-bong, one of South Korea’s most renowned fashion designers. Our discussion focused on authenticity, trust, and digital identity within the fashion industry. It was fascinating to see how naturally the challenges we address resonate within fashion and luxury goods, while also identifying broader applications across other industries.
We also had the pleasure of meeting Devin Kim, Director at SM Entertainment. During our conversation, we explored how TAGBASE could support the merchandise ecosystem and help brands create stronger connections with fans while protecting authenticity and improving the overall customer experience.
These discussions confirmed something we have increasingly observed over the past year: the demand for trust and authenticity extends far beyond a single industry.
One of the highlights of the week was participating in the European Innovation Night in Seoul.
Hosted on the 39th floor with spectacular views over the city, the event brought together entrepreneurs, investors, startup supporters, and innovation leaders from Korea and Europe.
Manuel Mertl was honored to present TAGBASE on stage and share our vision of building trust infrastructure for physical objects through NFC technology and secure digital identities.
The event created numerous opportunities for networking and allowed us to connect with many individuals who continue to support innovation and international collaboration between Europe and South Korea.
The final two days of our trip were dedicated to NEXTRISE 2026, one of Asia’s largest startup and innovation events.
As exhibitors, we had our own TAGBASE booth at the COEX Convention Center in Seoul, where we spent two days meeting investors, corporate representatives, potential customers, startup founders, and innovation leaders.
In addition to operating our booth, we also had the opportunity to present TAGBASE on stage, introducing our technology and vision to a broader audience.
It was inspiring to see Austria represented so strongly on one of Asia’s biggest startup stages.
As our week in Seoul came to an end, we found ourselves reflecting on how much can happen within just a few days.
We arrived hoping to make new connections and introduce TAGBASE to the Korean market.
We left with valuable investor relationships, promising partnership discussions, new business opportunities, deeper insights into the Korean innovation ecosystem, and many conversations that we are excited to continue in the coming weeks and months.
Most importantly, we met incredible people who made the entire experience both productive and unforgettable.
We would like to sincerely thank Advantage Austria and the Global Incubator Network (GIN) for creating this opportunity and supporting Austrian startups in building international relationships.
Your professionalism, dedication, energy, and countless hours of work behind the scenes made this entire week possible. From organizing workshops and investor meetings to coordinating schedules and helping us navigate Seoul, your support ensured that every day ran smoothly and successfully.
Thank you for making this experience not only productive but genuinely enjoyable.
While our trip to Seoul has come to an end, many of the conversations started during this week are only just beginning.
We are returning to Austria with new ideas, new relationships, and new opportunities. We look forward to following up with the investors, corporations, and partners we met throughout the week and exploring how these discussions can develop into long-term collaborations.
South Korea has left a lasting impression on us, and we are confident that this will not be our last visit.
We are excited to continue building TAGBASE internationally and look forward to what comes next.