– Selection of 15 prospective entrepreneurs and startups established less than 3 years ago
– Focus on the initial stages, such as improving the support project business plan and developing investment IR materials.
– Stable scale-up support through the Gyeonggi Venture Startup Support Center (Pangyo)
Startups grow through numerous stages. While all stages are important, the most crucial are the discovery of a product and the documentation process to compellingly present it to the market. However, aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs often start out with a product that hasn't been fully fleshed out yet, thus neglecting this step. Without this process, the product may not be properly validated or compelling, leading to trial and error.
The Gyeonggi Venture and Startup Support Center initially focused on laying the "foundation for a business idea." The "2025 Gyeonggi Venture and Startup Support Center (Pangyo) Build-up Type Excellent Startup Identification and Cultivation Support Project" was designed to help startups develop concrete business ideas from the pre-startup stage, refine business plans, and prepare investment pitches to ensure they are ready for application and selection in various support programs. To learn more, we interviewed Wi Gwang-jin, Director of the Gyeonggi Venture and Startup Support Center (Pangyo).
■ 'Build-up' support to complement the weaknesses of start-up companies
Gyeonggi Province has made startup and venture support a core local government policy. The governor's campaign pledges are aligned with "startup innovation" and "enterprise development," and accordingly, the province is providing gradual support to early-stage companies with growth potential, from manufacturing to tech companies. The Gyeonggi Venture and Startup Support Center (Pangyo) of the Gyeonggi Economic and Science Promotion Agency (hereinafter referred to as the Center) emphasized its role as an organization supporting the entire startup ecosystem, stating, "Our role is to provide diverse support to ensure the stable scale-up of startups in Gyeonggi Province."
The center's focus is on early-stage companies that possess a compelling product but lack the documentation necessary to effectively implement it. Many startups, despite possessing exceptional technology and ideas, miss out on various support programs and investment opportunities due to inadequate business plans. "The Buildup program is crucial for addressing this gap," the center explained. Beyond simple documentation support, the program also provides expert mentoring and mock investor relations (IR) pitching to help companies craft strategic documents that resonate with actual investors.
Center Director Wi Gwang-jin stated, "For startups to grow in the right direction, build-up support from the early stages is essential. This program will serve as a starting point for that." Companies selected for this support program will receive a comprehensive build-up package, including mentoring and consulting, investor relations (IR) matching, domestic and international market development, and participation in global expansion programs. Furthermore, outstanding companies will receive follow-up support, including investment connections with operating companies, TIPS and WINGS recommendations, and preferential access to the Gyeonggi Startup Innovation Space.
■ Eligible applicants are prospective entrepreneurs and early-stage startups within the past 3 years.
This support program targets aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage startups within three years of establishment, and a wide range of startup types are eligible. Participation from tech-based startups is expected to be high, particularly as the Pangyo Gyeonggi Venture Startup Support Center is the main hub. Pangyo is a leading next-generation industrial cluster in Korea. With a high concentration of companies in artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology, digital content, and eco-friendly industries, it offers an optimal environment for the growth of startups with technological innovation and global expansion potential. This support program leverages the unique characteristics of Pangyo to selectively foster and support promising startups within the province.
Center Director Wi Gwang-jin stated, "Since it's located in Pangyo, we anticipate a large number of tech-focused companies participating." He added, "This build-up program is open to a wide range of startups, so we encourage you to actively participate." He added that this program will also offer benefits linked to additional startup support programs planned in the future.
Hosted by the Gyeonggi Province Economic and Science Promotion Agency, the "2025 Gyeonggi Venture and Startup Support Center (Pangyo) Build-up-Type Excellent Startup Discovery and Cultivation Support Project" is recruiting a total of 15 companies. The application deadline is 6:00 PM on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. Interested companies can check the details and apply online at the Gyeonggi Startup Platform (https://www.gsp.or.kr/). The Gyeonggi Startup Platform is a startup support hub that provides comprehensive support to startups in Gyeonggi Province, including investment connections, expert advice, project matching, and space and facility provision.
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