Naava expands to Asia and reveals plans to enter the Central European market

Naava has started operations in Seoul, South Korea through collaboration with Sejung Group, one of the country’s leading lifestyle companies. In addition, Naava has introduced its revolutionary health tech product to the Central European audience last week, announcing plans to expand to the area in 2019.

Helsinki, Finland (30 October 2018)  – Finnish health technology company Naava was founded in Finland in 2012, expanded next to its neighboring Nordic country Sweden and later in 2016 to the USA and Canada. Now Naava has expanded to a third continent, to Asia, and more specifically to South Korea.

“Asia has been Naava’s ultimate goal the whole time. Even though all countries - including the Nordic countries with pure outdoor air -  benefit from better indoor air, in Asia the problem with air pollution is severe. I have personally experienced that when I worked at KONE in different Asian countries. South Korea marks the starting point for our Asian market entry, as we found a mission match in a leading local premium lifestyle giant Sejung. In addition, South Korea made sense for us, as Koreans are early adopters of new innovations and technology and they look for solutions in nature. Sejung is backing the established local Naava Korea Co. Ltd, which is our exclusive distributor in South Korea,” said Arttu Salmenhaara, Executive Chairman at Naava.

Sejung is a global brand management company and high-end fashion retailer and distributor with 1500 stores around the country. From fashion, the company has expanded into food and beverage, household products, hotel & leisure and real estate industries. Sejung’s Executive Managing Director Kyung Kyu (Sean) Kim has always had an affinity to Finland, its culture and nature, which culminated in an outdoor clothing brand called Fever Green - Inspired by Finland.

“The air pollution problem is acute in South Korea, Seoul being one of the most polluted megacities in the world. Sejung saw Naava had an advanced product to tackle the problem and wanted to partner with Naava to bring fresh natural air and real nature inside all indoor spaces in the form of beautiful and automated Naava healthtech furniture. Naava Korea has been operational for 3 months now with several Naava clients, expecting a healthy revenue of over €1 million next year,” said Naava Korea’s CEO Namkyu Lee.

Asia this year, Central Europe in 2019

Last week Naava introduced its healthtech furniture innovation at Orgatec in Cologne, Germany together with the world-renowned furniture company Vitra, which also owns Artek.

“We are happy to inform that Naava will be available in the first Central European markets in 2019. Naava is looking for mission-matched distribution partners in Germany, Benelux, Switzerland and the UK. We are also looking for a location to set up our Central European biofilter production,” continued Salmenhaara. 

NAAVA IN SHORT:

• Company founded in 2012 in Finland to reconnect humanity with nature with over 50 employees in the Nordics and the USA.

• Naava is no ordinary green wall: it's a biological air purifier, humidifier, living wall and, if wanted, a space divider all in one.

• Naava is easily movable and fully automated. A piece of wellness furniture awarded with several design and innovation awards.

• WIRED has chosen Naava as the hottest startup in Finland and one of the hottest in Europe. In addition, Naava is one of Europe’s fastest growing companies according to Inc.

• Naava Korea Co. Ltd. is owned by Sejung’s venture company to which

• Naava has given the right to use the Naava brand as exclusive distributor in South Korea. 

For more information:

Arttu Salmenhaara, Executive Chairman, arttu@naava.io, +358 50 520 5970

Namkyu Lee, Naava Korea CEO, ceo@naava.kr, (for interviews, please contact Ms. Vuolle who can arrange them)

Päivi Vuolle, PR and Communications, paivi.vuolle@naava.io, tel +358 50 5354 899

Additional material:

Download our product brochure for more information about Naava: https://www.naava.io/download-materials
Read our latest press releases and download images https://www.naava.io/for-media

Naava is a Finnish health technology company founded in 2012 to reconnect humanity with nature in the built environment. We develop intelligent Naava green wall furniture products, which bring the benefits of nature indoors. Naava is more than a beautiful living wall: it’s also an efficient biological air purifier, humidifier and space divider. Wherever you are should always feel like a walk in the park. Indoors too. All you have to do is: breathe naava.io

Sejung http://www.sejung.co.kr/eng/main.do

Follow Naava Korea on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naava_korea