Public invited to evaluate social enterprise models, join virtual investment program

Members of the public will have the chance to evaluate social enterprise business models and take part in a virtual investment exercise, with their assessments feeding into the final judging of a competition with a total purse of 50 million won ($37,400).

The Korea Social Enterprise Promotion Agency announced Friday that it is recruiting 30 audience evaluators for "Value-up Day," the final showcase event of the 2026 Social Value Business Model Competition.

The call is open to any member of the public with an interest in the social solidarity economy. Those selected will attend presentations by 10 finalists at Ferrum Tower in Seoul on Nov. 4 and assess each company's social value and business model. Their scores will be reflected in the final judging as a five-point bonus. Participants who complete the evaluation will receive a certificate of participation and a gift voucher.

Attendees can also join the "Public Value Investor" program, in which they allocate a virtual pool of 10 million won across three companies of their choosing after hearing the presentations. Prizes will be awarded by lottery based on participation.

Value-up Day is the event at which the competition's final results are announced and award recipients are named. The 10 companies that cleared the first and second rounds of judging will present their social value propositions and business models, and winners — including a grand prize — will be determined through a final round of evaluation. The total competition purse is 50 million won.

To help finalists sharpen their business models ahead of the event, the agency held a "Mentoring Day" pairing companies with outside experts. The participating firms are now preparing their final presentations based on specialist advice covering investor pitch materials, strategies for enhancing social value and marketing.

"This is a participatory platform where the public can directly evaluate social value and help identify outstanding social value business models," an agency official said, adding that the agency looks forward to broad participation from people interested in addressing social problems and creating social value.

Full details on joining the audience evaluation panel and attending the event are available on the competition's official website.