'Local Creator' 140 Projects Selected... Up to 50 Million Won in Commercialization Funding

Experience activity scene of 'Haenyeo's Kitchen,' selected as a local creator project in the Jeju area.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daeseop] The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced on the 4th that it has selected 140 local creator projects that discover and commercialize the natural characteristics and tangible and intangible cultural assets of the region.

The project selection was evaluated by regional economic experts and residents in seven cities and provinces. After analyzing 3,096 submitted projects, they were classified into seven major fields, and the projects were selected focusing on innovation, business feasibility, individualization, eco-friendliness, and uniqueness in each field.

The seven major fields are ▲Regional Content ▲Hub Brand ▲Smart Tourism ▲Regional-based Manufacturing ▲Local Food ▲Digital Cultural Experience ▲Eco-friendly Activities.

Looking at the selection results by field, regional content that re-examines local culture to create value accounted for the largest share at 21%. This was followed by Local Food (20%), Regional-based Manufacturing (17%), Digital Cultural Experience (15%), Hub Brand (14%), Smart Tourism (9%), and Eco-friendly Activities (4%).

A notable feature of this selection result is the high proportion of women and youth. The proportions of women and youth were 40% and 70.7%, respectively.

Local creators selected for this support project will receive up to 50 million KRW in commercialization funds. A local creator launch ceremony is also scheduled to be held on the 22nd.

Yoon Seok-bae, Director of Startup Ecosystem Formation at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, said, "Local creators, who connect regional characteristics and values to commercialization based on creativity, are expected to contribute to regional economic development by promoting domestic tourism and revitalizing domestic demand through lifestyle changes as opportunities." He added, "We will strengthen substantial support not only by expanding the scale of support but also by increasing venture investment, AI and data mentoring, and linking online platforms."