Oct. 1 and 3 at Gwanak-gu District Office — AI, deep tech and Gwanak S-Valley startup culture all in one place
Special lecture by broadcaster Tyler Rasch, 1:1 expert meetups, AI and robot competition and more
Gwanak-gu will host the 2026 Gwanak S-Valley Startup Festival at the district office on Oct. 1 and Oct. 3.
The district is organizing the event as a networking platform where startups, investors, young entrepreneurs and residents can gather to share emerging market trends, technologies and investment opportunities while charting the future direction of entrepreneurship.
Now in its seventh edition since its debut in 2019, this year's festival adopts the slogan "Beyond Borders, Beyond Startup," focusing on expanding the Gwanak S-Valley startup ecosystem by connecting entrepreneurs with new markets, technologies and investment opportunities beyond conventional boundaries.
The Gwanak Small and Medium Venture Promotion Agency — launched last year — is co-organizing the event alongside Seoul National University's startup support division, SNU's anchor project team (Campus Town project) and the Seoul Creative Economy Innovation Center (Seoul Startup Center Gwanak). Together, they aim to go beyond simply sharing startup information and offer substantive programs that drive startup growth and facilitate investment connections.
On the first day, Oct. 1, the festival opens with a ceremony followed by a special lecture by broadcaster Tyler Rasch on the theme "Globalizing a company starts from within." The day's lineup also includes an open innovation results presentation, a demo day and investment consultation session, 1:1 expert meetups, a startup idea competition and a youth entrepreneurship insights session — offering attendees a wealth of practical startup knowledge and hands-on experience.
The first-floor lobby of the district office's main building will host robot demonstration and experience booths, labor consultation booths and a Gwanak S-Valley company exhibition, giving entrepreneurs, young people and residents alike the chance to explore the district's startup culture and enjoy the festival.
On Oct. 3, the main building's eighth-floor auditorium will host the "SNU AI & Robot Competition For Tomorrow." Ten teams — ranging from elementary school students to adults — with an interest in AI and robotics will present projects using AI educational tools learned through preliminary training, with awards presented after judging.
By carrying out and presenting their projects firsthand, participants are expected to gain accessible, hands-on exposure to cutting-edge technology while developing creative problem-solving skills and deepening their interest in future technologies.
Registration for the startup lecture, 1:1 expert meetups and labor consultation sessions, as well as detailed schedules for each program, are available on the festival's official website.
Gwanak-gu District Mayor Park Jun-hee said he hopes the event will "serve as a meaningful occasion that helps startups grow and lets entrepreneurs and residents experience Gwanak's startup culture together," adding that the district will "actively support Gwanak S-Valley companies so they can grow further and leap onto the global stage."
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