Event set for Oct. 30 at Korea Credit Guarantee Fund's NEST Gwangjin; startups, university students to take part
Open-mic session, talks by sunbae firms and investment consultations on offer; policy counseling on funding, guarantees and employment support also available
Gwangjin-gu in Seoul will host a "Local Startup Networking Day" at the Korea Credit Guarantee Fund's NEST Gwangjin on Oct. 30.
The event is co-hosted by Gwangjin-gu and the Korea Credit Guarantee Fund, with the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency and the Ministry of Employment and Labor serving as supporting partners.
Local startups, university students interested in entrepreneurship and prospective founders are all welcome to participate.
When the networking event was held for the first time last year, 110 startups from the district took part. Building on that, the district compiled a startup database to lay the groundwork for ongoing exchanges and collaboration among local companies.
This year, the district is expanding participation to include university students and prospective founders, broadening the event's reach to foster interaction among a wider range of entrepreneurial players.
Particularly notable is an open-mic segment where participants can introduce their companies, products and business ideas directly to the audience, helping them raise their profile and explore new collaboration opportunities.
A highlight of the program is a session titled "Meeting a Local Sunbae Firm," featuring Helper Robotics Co., a standout graduate of the Gwangjin Economic Hub Center. The company develops industrial robots and store automation systems and has earned recognition through, among other achievements, its selection for the Deep Tech TIPS program. Its founders will share their growth journey and fundraising experience, giving university students and prospective entrepreneurs a firsthand look at what building a startup actually involves.
Active investment analysts will also be on hand for one-on-one consultations, reviewing participants' business ventures from an investor's perspective and offering advice on how to develop them further. Promising companies may be invited for follow-up sessions, with the possibility of investment connections being explored.
In addition, policy counseling booths will be operated by three agencies — the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency, the Korea Credit Guarantee Fund and the Ministry of Employment and Labor. Participants can receive on-site guidance on support programs suited to their stage of business, covering policy funding, credit guarantees and employment support.
"Opportunities to meet the companies, investors and support agencies you need all in one place during the startup process are rare," Gwangjin-gu District Mayor Kim Kyung-ho said. "I hope those preparing to launch a business or looking to grow one will use this event to share their ideas and ventures, and to find new opportunities for collaboration and investment."
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