About 900 researchers, biotech firms and investors gather at Seoul National University event; district promotes Gwanak S Valley startup ecosystem and '3.0' vision
Gwanak-gu promoted its Gwanak S Valley startup support policies and expanded ties with innovative companies at a major biotech research and industry networking event.
The district, together with the Gwanak Small and Venture Business Promotion Agency, participated in the 6th SNU Bio-Day held Tuesday at the Samsung Convention Center of Hoam Faculty House at Seoul National University. With about 900 researchers, students, biotech companies and investors in attendance, the district operated a Gwanak S Valley promotional booth to highlight its startup infrastructure and stage-by-stage business support programs.
The booth introduced a range of programs designed to strengthen companies' competitiveness — including the operation of 17 startup spaces for stable early-stage growth, capacity-building education for pre-launch and early-stage firms, and technology problem-solving and business model analysis conducted in partnership with Seoul National University's Engineering Consulting Center.
The district also presented its support for open innovation, demo days and investor matching, proof-of-concept validation, investment attraction, and networking among resident companies.
In addition, it promoted market-entry and overseas expansion initiatives through participation in international exhibitions — including CES, MWC and the World IT Show — as well as programs to spread startup culture within Gwanak S Valley, such as a startup festival and robot and AI education programs.
Gwanak S Valley is a project to build an urban venture and startup cluster where innovative companies can gather and grow, linking Seoul National University's human and technological resources with the district's startup support infrastructure. The district has built a stage-by-stage support system covering everything from initial establishment to investment attraction and overseas expansion, and continues to expand the venture and startup ecosystem.
Under the ninth elected-term administration in particular, the district plans to further advance its innovation ecosystem through "Gwanak S Valley 3.0" — identifying and nurturing startups in cutting-edge fields such as AI and deep tech, drawing on the university's research output, technology and talent, and building a seamless pipeline from founding through investment attraction to global expansion.
Building on its participation in SNU Bio-Day, the district plans to deepen exchanges with biotech researchers, companies and investors, and to further strengthen the collaborative foundation linking Seoul National University's research and technology capabilities with Gwanak S Valley's startup infrastructure.
"We will actively support Seoul National University's outstanding research achievements and talent as they connect with Gwanak S Valley's startup ecosystem, so that they can translate into company growth and job creation," District Mayor Park Jun-hee said. "We will continue to strengthen cooperation with universities, companies, research institutions and investors to develop Gwanak S Valley into a leading innovation and startup hub representing South Korea — a Korean Silicon Valley."
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