Mokpo National University Startup Incubation Center Selected as ‘Top Institution’ in Management Evaluation for 8 Consecutive Years

Exterior view of Mokpo National University Startup Incubation Center (Photo by Mokpo National University)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Seo Young-seo] Mokpo National University (President Park Min-seo) Startup Incubation Center (Director Choi Jong-myung) announced on the 21st that it was selected as the best institution in the 2021 Startup Incubation Center Management Evaluation conducted by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, making it the only one in Jeonnam and one of the few nationwide to be selected as the best institution for 8 consecutive years, totaling 9 times.

This evaluation is conducted annually to review the previous year's management performance and achievements of 252 startup incubation centers designated by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups nationwide, and the evaluation results are used as criteria for subsidy support for that year.

The Mokpo National University Startup Incubation Center received high scores across all evaluation indicators, including the professionalism of operating personnel, operational infrastructure, effectiveness of business plans, linkage with related organizations (open collaboration), and management of operational performance, earning a ‘Best’ grade, which corresponds to the top 20%.

As a result, the Mokpo National University Startup Incubation Center will receive operating budgets and project funds to participate in the ‘Operation Support Project’ and the ‘BI Incubation Capacity Enhancement Project’ this year, enabling it to carry out various and active activities to support the successful startups and growth of resident companies.

Director Choi Jong-myung of the Startup Incubation Center said, “The continuous excellent performance of the Mokpo National University Startup Incubation Center is the result of the passion of resident companies for successful startups combined with the interest and cooperation of President Park Min-seo and university members to actively support this.” He added, “Going forward, through the production-type startup support center on the Namak campus, we will support more companies to grow stably and fulfill the role of a digital startup leading university that contributes to job creation for youth and revitalization of the local economy.”

The Mokpo National University Startup Incubation Center opened in November 1999 and has contributed to attracting various support projects, including the expansion project of the incubation center, selection as the only startup leading university in Gwangju and Jeonnam in 2011, and the production-type startup support center construction support project.

In particular, it has housed startup companies less than three years old and prospective entrepreneurs who face difficulties in commercialization due to weak startup conditions for a certain period, providing comprehensive support necessary for startups such as technology, management, marketing, and funding through a one-stop service. In 2020, this resulted in an average sales growth rate of 66.5% and an employment growth rate of 72% for resident companies.

Thus, the Startup Incubation Center faithfully performs its role as a specialized startup support institution to revitalize startups in the region and improve startup success rates.