Noh Yong-seok, first vice minister of SMEs and Startups [Ministry of SMEs and Startups]
Noh Yong-seok, first vice minister of SMEs and Startups [Ministry of SMEs and Startups]

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups is launching a startup community designed to connect experienced entrepreneurs with aspiring and early-stage founders, building a network for sharing real-world experience and know-how to create a virtuous cycle within the startup ecosystem.

The ministry announced Tuesday that it will hold the "Founders Circle" — a gathering bringing together participants in its "Everyone's Startup Project" and veteran entrepreneurs — across three cities: Seoul, Busan and Daejeon.

The event gives founders a space to share the setbacks and challenges of the startup process with more experienced peers, and to build a community that fosters ongoing exchange across regions and industries. The ministry plans to use the Founders Circle as a springboard for a broader "Everyone's Startup Community" where entrepreneurs can communicate and collaborate freely.

Veteran founders from a range of sectors will take part, including those from Seoul Robotics, an autonomous driving startup; Spoonlabs, an audio content platform; Tosslab, which operates the workplace messenger Jandi; Kukka, a flower subscription service; Frip, a travel platform; and Zimcarry, a luggage delivery platform.

The event is structured in two parts: a panel talk and a roundtable. In the first session, veteran entrepreneurs will share what motivated them to start their companies, how their businesses grew, and how they overcame crises. The second session breaks into small groups of roughly 20 participants per entrepreneur, giving attendees a chance to discuss the practical challenges of building a startup and explore solutions in an open setting.

The ministry said it expects the format — moving away from conventional lectures toward more intensive dialogue between experienced and newer founders — to deliver meaningful mentoring outcomes.

The Founders Circle also serves as a follow-up to the "Everyone's Startup Project," which launched last month. The ministry said it is focusing its policy efforts on strengthening connectivity across the startup ecosystem, going beyond basic commercialization support to expand networking and mentoring opportunities with veteran entrepreneurs. It plans to continue growing regional startup communities to spread a culture of collaboration among founders.

"This Founders Circle is the first step toward building deep solidarity between experienced and newer entrepreneurs," First Vice Minister Noh Yong-seok said. "We will support the creation of an Everyone's Startup Community where founders can communicate and collaborate freely, so that starting a business becomes a challenge you take on together, not alone."


boo@heraldcorp.com