"Education Play Workshop Maker School is a Dream"… 'AkiSpace'

Small Enterprise and Market Service 'New Business Startup Academy'

Kang Byung-tak, CEO of AkiSpace, is posing in a space located in one corner of the company's creative workshop.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daeseop] "Our goal is to revitalize educational workshops with play activities for students and to be recognized as a social enterprise."

Kang Byungtak, CEO of AkiSpace (46), emphasized his commitment to serving as a startup evangelist for maker activities aimed at prospective entrepreneurs in the local community. His biggest goal is to franchise his own brand. Kang stated, "We plan to establish maker schools nationwide for entrepreneurs."

AkiSpace is an educational workshop located in Dong-gu, Busan. It is equipped with manufacturing equipment such as 3D printers and laser cutters, enabling creative activities using these tools. Various educational programs, including drone coding, are also offered. Kang described AkiSpace as "a space platform where imagination is realized, new value is created through creativity, and education and play culture coexist through learning and making together."

Kang currently develops and operates education programs primarily for elementary school students. He said, "I feel the greatest sense of fulfillment when creating something with young children in the digital workshop and seeing the students enjoy it."

Kang was introduced to AkiSpace after attending an information session for the 'New Business Startup Academy' run by the Small Enterprise and Market Service, through a friend's recommendation. Prior to that, he had operated a chicken restaurant for eight years. During his time in the food service industry, he experienced anxiety about market saturation and contemplated his future. Even before learning about the New Business Startup Academy, he had been gradually preparing for a new challenge.

AkiSpace

While running the chicken restaurant, he took instructor training courses in the mornings, including coding. He obtained certifications such as Level 1 Coding Instructor, Level 2 Drone Pilot, and Level 2 Drone Education Instructor. These efforts intensified after he closed the restaurant and enrolled in the New Business Startup Academy in 2018. In March of the following year, he founded AkiSpace.

Kang said, "By applying to the New Business Startup Academy, I was able to experience educational programs including new business idea discovery and dissemination, entrepreneurship theory education, store management practical training, mentoring, and commercialization support." He added, "Serving as the 'class leader' among my peers, I had many conversations with them and overcame my fear of speaking in front of an audience."

The New Business Startup Academy is a five-month entrepreneurship support program for prospective entrepreneurs. It provides both theoretical education and practical training. After four weeks of theory classes, participants undergo 16 weeks of management practical training at 16 stores nationwide. Outstanding graduates can receive up to 20 million KRW in commercialization funds. The program selects trainees twice a year (first and second half).

Kang emphasized, "Having a firm belief in the item you want to start a business with is the most important." He added, "You face many trials and errors in reality, but I gained courage through completing the Startup Academy program."