The term "Seoul" in your query appears to refer to the city as a **business and technology hub** rather than a singular organization. Seoul is South Korea’s capital and a global center for innovation, finance, and technology, home to a diverse ecosystem of companies, startups, government initiatives, and research institutions driving economic and technological advancement.
Seoul’s transformation began in earnest after the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis when it shifted focus from manufacturing to knowledge and technology-intensive industries, positioning itself as a leading information and communication technology (ICT) powerhouse[1][4]. The city hosts headquarters and offices of major global tech companies such as Hyundai Motor Company, Datadog, Qualtrics, Notion, and Tridge, primarily centered in the Gangnam district’s Teheran-ro area, often dubbed “Teheran Valley” in analogy to Silicon Valley[1].
The Seoul Metropolitan Government plays a vital role in nurturing innovation and startup growth. Through the Seoul Business Agency (SBA) and initiatives like the Seoul Startup Hub Scale-up Center and plans for the Seoul Unicorn Startup Hub, the city supports technology startups in reaching global markets and aims to foster 50 unicorns by 2030[2]. Venture capital investments in Seoul’s tech sector have been rising steadily, highlighting robust investor confidence[2].
Seoul also leads in digital infrastructure and smart manufacturing, boasting some of the world’s fastest internet speeds and heavy investments in AI, semiconductors, 5G, and cybersecurity[3][5]. The city’s Digital Media City (DMC) exemplifies high-tech urban planning and industry clustering, serving as a model for sustainable development and innovation in media and ICT[7].
Moreover, Seoul is influential in international digital standards, with Korean firms and government agencies actively shaping global ICT policies and standardization processes to secure competitive advantages[6]. The city’s economy is also a financial center, hosting major stock exchanges and banks, supporting its role as a comprehensive economic hub