‘Jeollanam-do Social Economy Youth Startup Idea Competition’ Successfully Concluded

Location-Based Care Service Matching, Byeon Seungwon of Yeosu Wins Grand Prize

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Jeong Hyeong-seok] The "2022 Jeollanam-do Social Economy Youth Startup Idea Competition," hosted by Jeollanam-do, organized by the nonprofit organization Sangsaengnamu, and sponsored by KEPCO KDN, was successfully held on the 16th at the Jeonnam Women and Family Foundation.

This competition was prepared to discover innovative and creative ideas targeting those who hope to start or are preparing for social economy startups and to expand the base of the social economy. Brilliant ideas from students who took courses at local and Jeonnam-do academies and general entrepreneurs gathered, and 12 teams that passed the first document screening competed in the final competition.

Innovative ideas that change the region were comprehensively judged on social mission, qualities of social entrepreneurs, startup items, business feasibility, and expected effects. Mr. Byeon Seung-won (34 years old) from Yeosu, who proposed an idea for matching care services based on location-based services, won the grand prize.

Also, Mr. Oh Jin-sik (35 years old) from Yeosu, who presented an idea for a shared management service for low-income artists, received the excellence award, and Mr. Lee Do-ha (30 years old) from Naju, who proposed a book cafe idea operated by senior baristas, received the encouragement award.

Each awardee was given prize money of 5 million KRW for the grand prize, 3 million KRW for the excellence award, and 2 million KRW for the encouragement award, along with a certificate from the Governor of Jeollanam-do. They are expected to be linked to commercializing their startup ideas through participation support in the "Social Entrepreneur Fostering Project" of the Korea Social Enterprise Promotion Agency.

Jung Chong-bok, Executive Director of the nonprofit organization Sangsaengnamu, stated, "This was a good opportunity to raise awareness among local youth about the importance of the social economy in solving community problems," and added, "We will actively support local youth in starting social economy enterprises to not only create jobs through discovering various social economy models that solve community problems but also to lead income-driven growth."