Expanded Startup Center operations boost capacity to up to 20 companies across three spaces; full-cycle scale-up support covers tech consulting, investment and global exhibitions including CES and MWC
Gwanak-gu is accepting applications from promising startups for its third round of new resident companies at the Gwanak S-Valley startup spaces and Startup Center in 2026, as the district seeks to identify and nurture future unicorn companies.
Up to 20 resident companies will be selected for independent and open-plan office spaces across three locations: the Startup Center, which will take up to 18 companies; Nakseong Venture Startup Center, which will take one; and Sinlim Venture Startup Center, which will take one.
The Startup Center, located in the Sinlim Startup Valley in Daehak-dong, is expanding its operations to focus on cultivating companies in the global, deep tech and AI sectors. To that end, the district is introducing a flexible space-support model that allows an entire floor to be leased to a single outstanding company when needed, meaning the final number of selected companies may vary depending on evaluation results.
Applications are open 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. However, 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.
Selected companies will receive office space along with a full-cycle, tailored scale-up program designed to support rapid growth.
Working with the Gwanak Small and Medium Venture Promotion Agency, the district plans to provide a structured growth support program covering technology consulting through Seoul National University's Engineering Consulting Center, expert mentoring, open innovation partnerships with large corporations, and investment attraction through demo days.
In addition, the district will actively support new resident companies in expanding overseas and building global networks by helping them participate in leading international exhibitions, including CES, the world's largest technology and consumer electronics show, and MWC, the premier global mobile and telecommunications exhibition.
Applications are open from Wednesday through Sept. 11 at 11 a.m. and must be submitted online through the Gwanak Small and Medium Venture Promotion Agency's integrated platform. The district will conduct written and presentation evaluations to assess each company's technological capabilities and growth potential. Successful applicants are set to move in from mid-September and begin their startup activities in earnest.
Gwanak-gu District Mayor Park Jun-hee said he was deeply gratified that the expansion of the Startup Center would allow more promising startups to access the district's outstanding entrepreneurial infrastructure at Gwanak S-Valley. "We will continue to expand Gwanak-gu's venture and startup ecosystem and spare no effort in providing full support so that our new resident companies can leap forward as globally recognized unicorn companies representing the Republic of Korea," he said.
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