Russell Dalgleish, GEP Dealmaker, shares his memories of Korea

As a GEP Dealmaker for the Department for International Trade (DIT), Russell Dalgleish spent a fortnight in South Korea to promote the UK as the place to be for international entrepreneurs and develop a growing pipeline of Korean tech companies looking at Scotland. In between meetings, Russell also had the opportunity to speak at the COMEUP (컴업) StartUp Conference - a remarkable platform to share insight into the Scottish innovation ecosystem. In this post, Russell shares with you what he gleaned from his time in Korea. Join the conversation on the original LinkedIn post here: LinkedIn-Memories-of-Korea

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Memories of Korea

By Russell Dalgleish

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I spent my final day in Korea representing Scotland in full national dress, as we entertained many of the entrepreneurs and founders we met with during our trip at the British Embassy in Seoul.

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I left this incredible country with several unforgettable memories.

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1. Across South Korea we have witnessed world leading creation and application of technology which is leading to the development of future technology titans.

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2. A culture of driven, dynamic entrepreneurship has developed here with the support of a business-friendly government, an excellent education system and one of the most supportive ecosystems, at scale, I have ever witnessed. Check out COMEUP (컴업), KISED (Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development), TIPS Korea, Monolith 9.81 and a myriad of others.

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3. There is a huge desire by Korean tech companies to expand globally and the UK is seen as a potential global launch pad however we need to "up our game" in engaging and building collaborative opportunities with Korea or we could lose the opportunity to attract future Unicorns.

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4. It's 18 years since my last visit to Korea and in that time the entire approach to business seems to have changed. Gone are the stuffy meetings with men in suits, replaced by, well exactly what you would imagine of a tech hub, young, enthusiastic men and women creating and building businesses of scale focused on exceeding client expectations.

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5. But one thing that has not changed is the inclusive, collegiate culture, with rooms full of smiles and hospitality levels that are humbling to experience.

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6. And the results of this investment by the UK Government will be realised over the coming months as I and my colleagues work with a group of companies looking to invest in the UK not in the future but in Q1 2023.

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The Department for International Trade (DIT) Global Entrepreneur Programme (GEP) is growing in scale, visibility and in the quality of international entrepreneurs and companies being brought to the UK. If you would be interested in discussing opportunities in the UK (and especially Scotland) then be sure to reach out.

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If you are based in Scotland and would like to work with me in supporting these companies as they "land" in Scotland then please reach out. The more help we can provide through Scotland's international organisations such as Scottish Development International, Scottish Business Network and others the more companies will come. Scotland's rich talent and the UK's entrepreneurial support ecosystem will ensure that.

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GEP has expanded this year with the appointment of "international dealmakers" who identify companies of scale ready to enter the UK market. In Korea, we have Yerim Koo whose passion and dedication to promoting the whole of the UK has been awesome to behold.

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Thank you Korea :)

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- Russell Dalgleish

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