No Yong-seok, first Vice Minister at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, said at the "La French Tech Seoul 10th anniversary" congratulatory address held at Tipstown in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, on the 2nd that "we will strengthen cooperation and support to promote active exchanges and find growth opportunities for Korean and French startups."
The event was prepared to celebrate the 10th anniversary of "La French Tech Seoul," which entered Korea in 2016 and supports the growth of Korean and French startups, and to promote exchanges and cooperation among innovation actors. It was co-hosted by "Business France," a public institution that supports French corporations' exports and attracts foreign investment, and "Mission French Tech," a French startup support agency.
About 200 people attended, including Clara Chappaz, France's ambassador for artificial intelligence (AI) and digital affairs; Bruno Bonnell, secretary-general of the France 2030 investment directorate; Louis Margueritte, head of Business France; and Julie Juge, head of Mission French Tech.
In the congratulatory address, Vice Minister No said, "This year marks the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and France," and added, "we place great significance on this event held to coincide with French President Emmanuel Macron's state visit, and we will support Korean startups' global expansion through support programs that help promising overseas startups settle in Korea and through K-Startup Centers in major overseas hubs including Paris."
No added, "We hope Korea will be a reliable partner for French startups' expansion into Asia," and proposed, "we expect increased startup exchanges by linking the flagship events of both countries, such as Korea's global startup festival 'ComeUp' and France's 'VivaTech.'"
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) plans to use this forum as an opportunity to strengthen cooperation with France in innovation and startups and to build a cooperative relationship in which startups from both countries can grow together.