Korea Student Aid Foundation Hosts 'Stepping Stone Startup Competition' for High School Graduate Young Talents

Evaluation of Startup Ideas for Current Students and Graduates of Vocational High Schools Nationwide
7 Teams Selected and Awarded Prizes Worth 5 Million KRW

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] The Korea Student Aid Foundation announced on the 16th that it held a 'Startup Competition' to foster talented young people with high school diplomas and create jobs for youth.

On the 15th, the Korea Student Aid Foundation held a startup competition for vocational high school students nationwide at the Seoul Trade Exhibition & Convention Center (SETEC) in Daechi-dong, Gangnam, Seoul, together with the Ministry of Education and the Korea Credit Guarantee Fund, awarding a total of seven teams.

A total of 45 teams participated in this competition, which was organized to discover innovative startup ideas from current students and graduates of vocational high schools nationwide.

Among them, 20 teams selected through the first document screening developed their startup ideas into startup plans through non-face-to-face startup education and individual startup mentoring. External experts and specialists from each institution evaluated technological feasibility, business potential, and creativity, and seven final teams were selected through the second document screening and presentation evaluation.

Three teams received the Commendation from the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education along with prizes worth approximately 1 million KRW, and two teams received the Commendation from the Chairman of the Korea Student Aid Foundation along with prizes worth approximately 500,000 KRW. The winning teams will continue to receive ongoing startup support such as mentoring after the competition.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hye stated, “We will actively support high school graduates to overcome difficulties they face when seeking employment or starting businesses and to realize their dreams and talents.”

Lee Jung-woo, Chairman of the Korea Student Aid Foundation, said, “We will create an environment where high school graduates can challenge entrepreneurship through mutual cooperation with the Ministry of Education and the Korea Credit Guarantee Fund.”