"From Education to Investment: Gangwon Changgyeong’s Integrated Startup & Business Workshop"

Gangwon Province’s Center for Creative Economy and Innovation is launching a comprehensive initiative to integrate education and investment for startups and local businesses, building on recent announcements and support programs. The province has already selected 60 startups and local ventures for its 2026 entrepreneurship support programs, with a focus on fostering innovation and strengthening the regional startup ecosystem.

The Gangwon Startup Support Program and the Gangwon Local Venture Development Program, run in collaboration with the Gangwon Center for Creative Economy and Innovation, have attracted significant interest. According to provincial officials, the startup program recorded a competition rate of 13.4 to 1, while the local venture program saw an even higher rate of 30.6 to 1. A total of 40 companies were selected for the startup support program, including 15 preliminary startups, 15 early-stage companies, and 10 growth-stage firms with promising technology or manufacturing-based business models.

The Local Venture Development Program selected 20 companies that combine regional resources, culture, and creative ideas to build distinctive local brands. The initiative promotes “loconomy,” a concept that integrates local identity with economic development.

Selected companies will receive financial support for commercialization, access to entrepreneurship education, mentoring, and specialized accelerator programs tailored to different stages of business growth. Funding support will reach up to 45 million won for startups and up to 50 million won for local venture companies.

In a further effort to expand its reach, the Gangwon Center for Creative Economy and Innovation has announced the “Everyone’s Entrepreneurship Project,” a nationwide program designed to allow anyone with an idea to attempt entrepreneurship. This initiative, which began on April 3, involves over 120 organizations, including incubators, universities, and accelerators, to systematically support participants from idea generation to business scaling.

Participants in the “Everyone’s Entrepreneurship Project” will go through a series of competitions, starting with regional preselections, followed by regional and national auditions. All participants who advance to the first round will receive 2 million won in seed funding. Those who progress further will receive additional support for prototype development and commercialization. The final winners in the general and technology tracks will receive up to 100 million won in prizes and investment linkages, while local track winners will also benefit from prizes, investment connections, and preferential access to follow-up support programs.

The project’s offline explanation sessions are scheduled for April 10 in Wonju, April 17 in Gangneung, and April 24 in Chuncheon. Online sessions will be held on April 15, 21, and 27, with non-face-to-face consultations available from April 28 to 30.

This initiative is part of a broader effort by Gangwon Province to create a sustainable startup ecosystem that combines technology-based ventures with locally driven businesses. The province aims to identify and nurture innovative companies that can become new growth engines for the regional economy.

According to the Gangwon Center for Creative Economy and Innovation, the goal is to expand local entrepreneurial opportunities and create an environment where anyone can participate in the startup ecosystem. The center’s representative stated, We aim to expand regional entrepreneurial opportunities and create a startup ecosystem where anyone can participate.

This integrated approach—combining education, funding, and mentorship—is designed to support both established startups and new entrepreneurs, ensuring that Gangwon Province remains at the forefront of regional economic innovation.