The EU Business Hub @ Semicon Japan 2026 will select up to 50 European SMEs and start-ups to visit Japan to kick-start their internationalisation journey in the semiconductor sector. Selected companies will exhibit at Semicon Japan, a major international exhibition focused on the semiconductor industry, held annually in Tokyo and attracting more than 103 000 visitors. The EU Business Hub will provide the EU Pavilion at the exhibition — a valuable platform for companies to showcase their products and services, offer demonstrations, engage in networking, and customer acquisition.

This business mission will take place from 7 to 11 December 2026 and will provide an excellent opportunity for networking and connecting with potential Japanese business partners and industry leaders. Many Japanese corporations send representatives and exhibit at Semicon Japan. At the EU Pavilion, a dedicated team of business coaching staff and professional interpreters will be available to promote European companies’ products and technologies and assure maximum exposure to exhibition visitors. A networking event during the mission will enhance opportunities to connect with potential business partners and clients.

This business mission presents a unique opportunity for European SMEs and start-ups to establish valuable contacts, exhibit their solutions at the EU Pavilion, build long-lasting relationships with Japanese enterprises and explore new business avenues together.

Target audience

European SMEs and start-ups involved in the semiconductor sector — across all parts of the value chain, including design, products and services, front-end and back-end equipment (e.g., connectors, pumps, cables, sensors, etc.), manufacturing and inspection equipment, metal processing, cutting and plating, and surface treatment.

Japanese Business Operators, notably buyers, distributors and R&D partners in public and private sectors, and Japanese investors.

Overview of the business mission

Funded by the European Union, the business mission to Tokyo will last five days in total, including three days of exhibition and targeted business matchmaking at Semicon Japan 2026, networking opportunities and a study tour.

The business mission agenda is as follows:

Day 1: Arrival in Tokyo, welcome and Networking Reception.
Day 2: Briefing session with sectoral experts and a study tour.
Day 3: Exhibition, networking, and B2B meetings @ Semicon Japan.
Day 4: Exhibition, networking, B2B meetings @ Semicon Japan, and Happy Hour.
Day 5: Exhibition, networking, B2B meetings @ Semicon Japan, and debriefing session.
In addition to the programme’s activities, the participants will have the opportunity to attend additional events directly organised by Semicon Japan 2026 trade fair organisers.



Services and benefits for EU participants

Business matchmaking, including pre-arranged in-person meetings with carefully selected Japanese companies.
Market intelligence, including sectoral briefings that provide valuable insights into the Japanese market and potential opportunities.
Cultural and linguistic support, such as briefings on doing business in Japan, as well as interpretation and translation assistance.
Financial support of up to €1000 to benefit from a menu of additional customised services co-funded by the project (e.g., translation, printing, legal advice).
Hotel accommodation (Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba) for four nights – up to €1000 total per company (4 nights, 1 room) are covered by the programme.
Exhibition fee coverage at Semicon Japan.

Key market insights
Participating in the EU Business Hub @ Semicon Japan 2026 offers a unique opportunity for European SMEs and start-ups because:

Japan is Asia’s 3rd largest and the world’s 5th largest economy.
Japan’s semiconductor market is projected to reach €50.5 billion in 2026, driven by global trends like AI, IoT, EVs, and 5G.
Japan has formulated the Green Growth Strategy to promote Green Transformation (GX). Within this strategy, the direction for the semiconductor industry includes supporting the research and development of next-generation power semiconductors and green data centres to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040.
By 2030, Japan targets over 15 trillion yen (approx. €92 billion) in total domestic semiconductor sales to ensure a stable supply.
The Japanese government is investing up to JPY 10 trillion (approx. €61 billion) to bolster domestic semiconductor and AI capabilities through 2030, supporting R&D, manufacturing, and talent development.
In 2024 and 2025, Japan has intensified collaboration in the semiconductors sector, both within in the region and with the EU, fostering dialogue to strengthen cooperation.
Discover the business mission and apply by 11 September 2026

What is this about?
EU Business Hub @ Korea Electronics Show 2026 will select up to 50 European SMEs and start-ups to visit the Republic of Korea (RoK) to kick-start their internationalisation path in the digital sector. Selected companies will showcase their products and services at the EU Pavilion at the Korea Electronics Show (KES) 2026 exhibition, a major international exhibition attracting more than 70 000 visitors and 530 exhibitors.

The business mission will take place from 12 to 16 October 2026 and provides an excellent opportunity for networking and connecting with potential Korean business partners and industry leaders. At the EU Pavilion, a dedicated team of business coaching staff and professional interpreters will be available to promote each European company’s products and technologies, assuring maximum exposure to exhibition visitors. A networking event during the business mission will also increase the opportunities to connect with potential business partners and clients.

Target audience

European SMEs, including start-ups and innovative enterprises, active in the digital industry or related sectors, across all parts of the value chain, such as:
AX (AI transformation)
Electronic parts and materials
Advanced Mobility
Robotics
WEB 3.0/XR

Business operators in the RoK, especially:
Buyers and distributors of electronics products
R&D institutions and partners (both public and private)
Investors with interest in advanced electronic equipment

Overview of the business mission

The business mission to Seoul will last five days in total, including four days of dedicated business matchmaking and networking at Korea Electronics Show 2026, a business networking reception, a study tour, and many more activities.

The business mission agenda is as follows:

Day 1: Arrival in Seoul, welcome & networking gathering and briefing session.
Day 2: Exhibition at KES 2026 and business matchmaking sessions and business networking reception.
Day 3: Exhibition at KES 2026 and business matchmaking sessions.
Day 4: Exhibition at KES 2026 and business matchmaking sessions.
Day 5: Last exhibition day at KES 2026 and business matchmaking sessions and debriefing session.

In addition to the programme’s activities, the participants will have the opportunity to attend additional events directly organised by Korea Electronics Show trade fair organisers.


Services and benefits for EU participants

Business matchmaking resulting in pre-arranged in-person meetings with carefully selected enterprises in the RoK.
Market intelligence including sectoral briefings providing valuable insights on market structure and potential opportunities.
Cultural and linguistic support such as briefings on doing business in RoK and support for interpretation and translation.
Financial support for additional customised services co-funded by the project (e.g. translation, printing, legal advice, booth decoration covered for 80% and up to €1,000).
Hotel accommodation for four nights – in total, up to €1,000 for accommodation is covered by the programme (1 room/company for 4 nights)
Coverage of the exhibitor fee at Korea Electronics Show 2026

Key market insights

Participating to the EU Business Hub @ KES 2026 represents a unique opportunity for European SMEs and start-ups:
The RoK is Asia’s 4th and the World’s 13th largest economy.
EU exports to the RoK in 2024 amounted to €55.7 billion in goods.
The RoK represents the EU’s 8th largest trading partner for goods.
The RoK stands at the technological forefront of the global economy, driven by an impressive R&D expenditure totaling 4.9% of its GDP.
The Ministry of Science and ICT listed 12 National Strategic Technologies as strategic areas in its Science and Technology Master Plan (2023- 2027) including semiconductor and display, secondary battery, advanced mobility, hydrogen, cybersecurity, AI, etc.
Negotiations for a Digital Trade Agreement (launched in late 2023) are expected to further reduce barriers for European tech start-ups in 2026. The agreement establishes a binding framework for seamless data flows and regulatory certainty. By eliminating data localisation requirements and technical barriers, it provides EU IT firms with a secure, high-standard foundation for scaling operations into the Korean market.

Europe's #1 energy tech pitch competition is expanding to Asia!

Apply to pitch and get in front of the APAC region's leading energy investors, build your brand in one of the world's fastest-growing clean energy markets, and make connections that convert into partnerships and funding.

The competition tracks include:

🔹 Green Energy Infrastructure
🔹 AI for Energy
🔹 Energy for AI
🔹 Climate Hardware X
🔹 Climate Software X
🔹 Wild Card - Climate X

It’s a rare opportunity to accelerate growth on a stage that the Asian energy industry actually watches.

Who can apply:

🔹 companies from pre-Seed to Series B growth stage
🔹 must be a technology company challenging status quo in climate tech
🔹 must have a market ready product (we do not encourage pre-product companies to apply)
🔹 must have revenue or at least minimal traction
🔹 is privately held, often with venture capital investors or bootstrapped
🔹 cannot be a spin-off from large conglomerate
🔹 finalists are required to attend and pitch at Energy Tech Summit and ETC closing event (C level or Founder level)

Applications close July 13, 2026
Live Pitches – September 29-30, 2026

Apply here: https://energytechchallengers.com/challengers-asia/