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The Korea Herald
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THE INVESTOR
March 19, 2024

Startups

Italy launches startup acceleration program in Seoul

  • PUBLISHED :July 19, 2019 - 15:48
  • UPDATED :July 20, 2019 - 02:53
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The Embassy of Italy in Korea and Italian Trade Agency have launched a startup program called Startup Erasmus in Seoul to nurture Italian startups and promote cooperation between businesses from both countries.

Under the program, three preselected startups from Italy -- Geeks Academy Europe, Mash & Co and Nettoon -- will stay in Seoul for two to three months and seek partnerships with Korean companies and investors.


Italian Ambassador to South Korea Federico Failla (sixth from left) poses with startup CEOs and Italian Embassy officials at the launch event of the Startup Erasmus program on July 18 in Seoul. (Embassy of Italy in Korea)


“The cooperation between startups from Italy and South Korea in the field of technology is one of the most important pillars of our bilateral economic partnership,” said Federico Failla, who was appointed as ambassador to Korea in May this year, at the launch event of the program on July 18.

The event was organized by Seoul-based startup accelerator Awesome Ventures.

The Italian government runs the program in six countries, including the US and China, to increase its presence in the fast-growing startup sector around the world.

Geeks Academy offers online and offline lessons for cutting-edge technologies, such as cybersecurity, and blockchain, while Mash & Co runs a platform for educational content for kids. Nettoon offers services that digitalize classic Italian artworks with technology, like virtual reality.

“Since the company is trying to develop a blockchain platform to offer online lectures, I will try to look for partners in the blockchain field in Korea,” said Antonio Venece, founder and CEO of Geeks Academy.

State-run tech agencies and private businesses participated in the launch event. Among participants of the event were Danny Han, the representative of French telecom firm Orange's Korean office, and Kang Tae-ho, president of SK Group affiliate and energy firm SK E&S.

By Kim Young-won (wone0102@heraldcorp.com)

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