First collaborative project since Korea Credit Guarantee Fund's Gwangjin NEST opening marks milestone for local startup investment drive; 14 promising startups pitch growth potential to investors; Gwangjin Economic Hub Center continues to anchor startup space, investment linkage and growth support
Gwangjin-gu (district mayor Kim Kyung-ho) successfully held an "Investment Attraction Demo Day" on June 11 at the Korea Credit Guarantee Fund's Gwangjin NEST, which opened in May, to support the growth of promising local companies.
The demo day was the first project carried out under a startup growth support partnership that Gwangjin-gu and the Korea Credit Guarantee Fund signed in April. The event introduced companies based at the Gwangjin Economic Hub Center and the Korea Credit Guarantee Fund NEST to professional investment institutions, giving businesses with strong models and growth potential a broader opportunity to attract investment.
Seven investment institutions — including Logan Ventures, Lotte Ventures, Woori Technology Investment and MYSC — and 14 local startups took part. The companies were divided into two tracks by development stage — early-growth firms and growth-verified firms — and presented their business models, technologies and services.
Standout presentations came from Gwangjin Economic Hub Center tenants Momstay and DeepFarm, as well as Hub Center graduate Helper Robotics, which showcased innovative technologies spanning AI, smart livestock farming and robotics.
Between presentations, participants and investors held open networking sessions. Companies outlined their progress and future plans, while investors engaged them in discussions on investment prospects and business expansion strategies.
District Mayor Kim attended the event, toured the Korea Credit Guarantee Fund NEST facility, encouraged the resident companies and met with representatives from investment institutions and startups.
"For companies with strong technology and business ideas to grow, it is vital that they have opportunities to meet investors directly and demonstrate their potential," Kim said. "Building on our partnership with the Korea Credit Guarantee Fund, we will support promising companies and create a foundation for them to establish themselves stably in Gwangjin-gu."
Gwangjin-gu is working to invigorate the local startup ecosystem through the Gwangjin Economic Hub Center by offering startup space, tailored accelerating programs and investment linkage initiatives.
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
