Jungnang-gu has concluded its 2026 Youth Startup Academy, a program run by the district to strengthen entrepreneurial skills among young residents.
The academy ran from May through June at the Jungnang Youth Center, targeting residents and active participants between the ages of 19 and 39. Moving away from conventional lecture-style instruction, the program took a hands-on, project-based approach in which participants developed their own startup ideas, designed business models and completed and presented full business plans.
At the final pitch event held June 18, participants presented the business plans they had prepared throughout the program and exchanged feedback with industry experts and fellow aspiring entrepreneurs. Judges evaluated entries on market potential and feasibility, among other criteria, and selected three outstanding young entrepreneurs for the top awards.
The grand prize — worth 300,000 won ($197) — went to Im Yeong-cheol for a proposal to develop a compact medical warming device that heats intravenous fluids close to the patient before they are administered. Jo Min-seo took the excellence award (200,000 won) for an AI golf coaching platform that diagnoses and corrects persistent swing problems based on data about a user's range of motion. Shin Dong-hwi claimed the merit award (100,000 won) for a concept integrating all aspects of band activity management into a single platform.
The district plans to support academy graduates through ongoing startup networking and information-sharing opportunities, and to link them with follow-on entrepreneurship support programs to keep the local youth startup ecosystem growing.
Jungnang-gu District Mayor Ryu Gyeong-gi said the district would continue running a range of programs to help young people take on the challenge of starting businesses and grow on the strength of their fresh ideas and drive. "We will do our utmost to build a foundation where young entrepreneurs can grow steadily right here in the community," he added.
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