21 promising companies to be selected across five key sites, including Nakseong Venture Startup Center and Sillim Venture Startup Center; applications open through Nov. 16, with move-in set for January next year
Gwanak-gu is accepting applications for its fourth round of new tenant companies at Gwanak S Valley startup spaces in 2026, aiming to energize the district's innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem and identify high-potential startups.
The Gwanak S Valley startup spaces are purpose-built facilities designed to help venture and startup companies with strong technology and growth potential operate and scale in a stable environment. They serve as entrepreneurial hubs that ease the burden of securing office space in the early stages and provide structured support spanning technology development, investment attraction and market access.
Through this recruitment round, the district plans to select 21 companies across five major startup hub facilities within Gwanak S Valley, offering affordable office space alongside a range of startup infrastructure and tailored support at each stage of growth.
The five facilities accepting tenants are Nakseong Venture Startup Center, Nakseongdae Community Center branch, Sillim Venture Startup Center 1, Sillim Venture Startup Center 3 and the Startup Center. Applicants may choose between a resident "independent office" or a non-resident office arrangement; those opting for the non-resident option may designate either Nakseong Venture Startup Center or Sillim Venture Startup Center 1 as their preferred site.
Eligibility extends to venture companies certified under the Special Act on Fostering Venture Businesses, prospective founders, and startups less than seven years old as of the announcement date. Small and medium-sized enterprises in emerging industries — including AI, big data and intelligent robots — may apply if they are less than 10 years old.
Applications are open through Nov. 16 and can be submitted online via a pop-up window on the integrated platform of the Gwanak Small and Medium Venture Promotion Agency. Candidates will be evaluated through document screening and a presentation round, with selections based on technological capability and growth potential. Companies chosen will move in starting in January 2027.
The district supports tenant companies in strengthening their technological competitiveness and expanding market reach through technology consulting and expert mentoring in partnership with Seoul National University's Engineering Consulting Center, as well as assistance with participation in major domestic and international exhibitions. It also broadens investment opportunities through inter-company networking events, demo days and operation of the Gwanak S Valley startup support fund.
These efforts have yielded tangible results: at the recently held KES 2026 (Korea Electronics Show), two Gwanak S Valley tenant companies — Airlet and Arto AI — won awards in the AX (AI transformation) category of the KES Innovation Awards, earning recognition for their technology.
Gwanak-gu District Mayor Park Jun-hee said tenant companies at Gwanak S Valley are earning recognition for their technology on both domestic and international stages. "We will continue to actively support promising startups so they can grow in a stable entrepreneurial environment and leap into larger markets," he said. "We hope innovative companies with bold ideas and technology will take an interest and apply in this round."
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