Startup in Gwanak!

Gwanak-gu Calls for Resident Companies to Move into 8 Rooms at Nakseong Venture Startup Center and 1 Room at Sillim Venture Startup Center... Applications Accepted Until 11 a.m. on the 27th

Selected Companies Provided with Affordable Office Space and Various Office Equipment... Customized Business Growth Programs Also Offered

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gwanak-gu (Mayor Park Jun-hee) is recruiting new companies to move into the ‘Gwanak S Valley’ startup spaces.

Gwanak-gu is promoting the ‘Gwanak S Valley’ project, which leverages the excellent technology and youth assets of Seoul National University, centered on the two pillars of Nakseong Venture Valley and Sillim Startup Valley, to create quality jobs and revitalize the local economy.

Since 2020, four Nakseong Venture Startup Centers (total 17 rooms) have been established within Nakseong Venture Valley to provide startup spaces for early-stage startups. In January this year, three Sillim Venture Startup Centers (total 14 rooms) were created within Sillim Startup Valley to provide startup spaces for companies that have grown to a certain scale.

The district is recruiting companies to move into a total of nine startup rooms: eight at Nakseong Venture Startup Center and one at Sillim Venture Startup Center.

Applicants must be (pre-)entrepreneurs within seven years of establishment as of the announcement date, February 17. For Sillim Venture Startup Center, venture companies under the Special Measures Act on the Promotion of Venture Businesses are also eligible.

Resident companies will be finally selected through a first-round document evaluation and a second-round presentation evaluation. The residency period is from March this year to February next year, with the possibility of a one-year extension based on evaluation.

Resident companies will be provided with affordable office space and various office equipment. In addition, customized business growth programs tailored by field and stage will be offered, including ▲business diagnosis ▲IR pitching skill enhancement ▲networking among companies ▲Investor Day ▲Demo Day ▲corporate promotion support to foster growth and attract investment.

The application period is until 11 a.m. on February 27. Detailed application methods can be found on the Gwanak-gu Office website or the ‘Startup Plus’ website through the announcement. Inquiries can also be made via email to the Gwanak S Valley manager.

The district has achieved remarkable results by promoting ‘Gwanak S Valley,’ including establishing the first 20 billion KRW-scale startup support fund among autonomous districts and designating the Nakseongdae-dong?Seoul National University?Daehak-dong area as a venture business promotion district. As of 2023, it has established 16 startup infrastructure facilities, attracted 126 companies, and created over 1,000 jobs.

Furthermore, the district is accelerating the ‘Gwanak S Valley 2.0’ project by promoting initiatives such as ▲establishing the ‘Gwanak S Valley Business Support Fund’ ▲founding the ‘Gwanak Small and Medium Venture Promotion Agency’ ▲technology consulting support projects ▲startup scale-up ▲hosting open innovation events, aiming to become a mecca for venture startups.

A district official said, “We will build a sustainable startup ecosystem in Gwanak-gu by nurturing startups utilizing excellent technology and talent. We have prepared various programs that provide practical help to resident companies, and we hope many aspiring entrepreneurs dreaming of becoming ‘unicorns’ will apply.”

Guro-gu Holds Plaque Ceremony and Orientation for ‘Guro Youth Startup Support Center’

Focus on Support for Prospective and Early-Stage Entrepreneurs... Aiming for Settlement and Growth of Early-Stage Companies

Expanded Support Scale Targeting 100 Teams This Year... Customized Programs with Detailed Segmentation

Plaque Ceremony Held on the 22nd... Facility Tour, Senior Entrepreneur Lectures, and Full Operation of the Center

Guro-gu (Mayor Moon Heon-il) held a plaque ceremony for the ‘Guro Youth Startup Support Center’ on the 22nd and is accelerating support for business growth.

On the 23rd, Guro-gu announced, “To focus on the growth of early-stage companies, we operate the Guro Youth Startup Support Center in cooperation with the Venture Business Association.”

The ‘Guro Youth Startup Support Center’ operates by refocusing support targets within the existing startup support center on youth entrepreneurs and reorganizing programs accordingly. This is one of Mayor Moon Heon-il’s key pledges in the 8th local government term to help young people with excellent startup ideas settle stably and support the coexistence of competitive companies.

Located on the 8th floor of Mario Tower within the Seoul Digital Industrial Complex (G Valley), the center is equipped with coworking spaces and meeting rooms.

Since 2012, the district has been conducting the PSWC program within the center in cooperation with the Venture Business Association. This year, marking the 25th session, the program scale has expanded from 60 teams last year to a total of 100 teams. The budget has also increased, with 150 million KRW from the district and 85 million KRW from the Venture Business Association, totaling 235 million KRW.

Fifty teams each in the first and second halves of the year will be selected, targeting prospective entrepreneurs or startups less than three years old in the 4th industrial revolution or technology and knowledge service sectors. The program is divided into stages: the ‘Strong Basics Venture Course’ aimed at building business models and writing business plans, and the ‘VC Coaching Course’ aimed at business advancement, investment capability enhancement, and participation in Talk to You Demo Day.

The center plans to provide various educational programs to increase understanding of startups and help translate interest into actual businesses, targeting youth in Guro-gu interested in entrepreneurship. Starting next month with a ‘Startup Mindset and Senior Entrepreneur’s Entrepreneurial Spirit Lecture,’ monthly startup education focused on the 4th industrial revolution, IT, and knowledge service sectors will be held, along with ongoing mentoring to promptly solve problems faced by entrepreneurs.

Additionally, entrepreneurs not selected for the PSWC program will be offered Level UP one-on-one mentoring and open startup education to supplement deficiencies and provide opportunities for re-challenge.

At the plaque ceremony held at 3 p.m. on the 22nd at the Guro Youth Startup Support Center, Mayor Moon Heon-il, Guro-gu Council Chairperson Kwak Yun-hee, council members, Vice Chairman Je Young-ho and Executive Vice Chairman Kang Ji-hoon of the Venture Business Association, and participants of the PSWC program’s first half attended. The event included plaque unveiling, facility tours, a startup lecture by a previous participant, and an orientation for this year’s first-half participants.

Mayor Moon Heon-il said, “I hope many young people will freely challenge themselves and realize their dreams at the Guro Youth Startup Support Center. We will continue to implement various support projects so that Guro-gu can become a city where competitive entrepreneurs can grow.”

Gwangjin-gu Operates ‘Visiting Tax Service’ for Businesses

Targeting Businesses Having Difficulty with Local Income Tax Special Collection Electronic Filing

Responsible Officials Visit Businesses to Provide One-on-One Guidance on Electronic Filing and Payment Methods

Service Applications Accepted via Phone, KakaoTalk Channel, and Email

Gwangjin-gu (Mayor Kim Kyung-ho) is operating a ‘Visiting Tax Service’ starting this year for businesses having difficulty with local income tax special collection electronic filing.

Businesses obligated to withhold income tax and corporate tax on income such as interest, dividends, and earned income must specially collect 10% of the withholding tax amount as local income tax and file and pay it to the local government where the business is located by March 10.

While 96% of businesses in the area use electronic filing via Wetax and Etax, about 400 businesses, accounting for 4%, still prepare payment slips manually and visit banks to pay taxes.

Accordingly, the district operates the ‘Visiting Tax Service,’ where responsible officials visit businesses to provide one-on-one guidance on electronic filing and payment methods, enhancing taxpayer convenience.

Using electronic filing allows tax filing and payment anytime and anywhere without the need to separately keep receipts.

To promote this service, the district plans to send service application notices quarterly to businesses that file manually. It will also actively promote the convenience of electronic filing through the district website, newsletters, and electronic billboards.

Businesses wishing to receive one-on-one training can apply for the Visiting Tax Service via ▲phone (Tax Division 2, Local Income Tax Team 2) ▲KakaoTalk channel (Gwangjin-gu Special Collection) ▲email.

Businesses applying for the Visiting Tax Service will be provided with educational materials and tax consultation.

Mayor Kim Kyung-ho said, “Businesses having difficulty with electronic filing are encouraged to apply for the ‘Visiting Tax Service.’ We will make various efforts to enable more businesses to use convenient tax services.”

Guro-gu Calls for 2024 Public-Private Cooperation Project Agenda Proposals

Projects Planned and Executed Together by Residents and Administration... Applications Accepted from Feb. 27 to Mar. 31

‘Visiting Public Forum’ Held from Mar. 13 to 31... Final Projects Selected in July-August

Your Proposed Project Can Become a Reality!

Guro-gu (Mayor Moon Heon-il) is calling for agenda proposals for the 2024 public-private cooperation projects.

On the 22nd, Guro-gu announced, “We are seeking agenda proposals for public-private cooperation projects to discover innovative projects with residents and reflect them in district administration.”

Anyone residing in Guro-gu, including local workers and students, can participate.

Proposed projects must be distinctive initiatives addressing local issues that can be planned and executed jointly by residents and administration or require public discussion. Simple complaints, facility installations, petitions, or grievances are excluded.

Applicants can submit necessary documents from February 27 to March 31 via the Guro-gu Office website, Google Forms, email, mail, fax, or in person.

This year, for the first time, a ‘Visiting Public Forum’ will be held. From March 13 to 31, groups of 5 to 10 residents or organizations will be visited to freely communicate, discuss local agendas, and prepare proposals. For details, contact the Planning and Budget Division’s Cooperation Policy Team or check the website.

Guro-gu will classify and merge proposed agendas by field, review them through departments, and select agendas suitable for cooperation. A resident participation group will be recruited in May, and in June, deliberative public forums will be held to enhance project feasibility. Final projects will be decided by August.

Last year, ‘Universal Design Comfortable and Safe for Everyone’ and ‘Dorimcheon Safety Enhancement’ were selected as final agendas and are being implemented with a public-private working group this year.

Since 2019, Guro-gu has established a dedicated cooperation team, enacted ordinances, and operated specialized cooperation training courses to promote public-private cooperation.

A Guro-gu official said, “We will actively support solving local issues and contributing to district development with residents. We ask for the interest and participation of many residents.”

Geumcheon-gu Calls for 2023 Carbon Neutral Lifestyle Practice Project Proposals

Supports Up to 5 Million KRW per Group in Three Areas Including Zero Waste Activist Training and Education

Applications Accepted by March 3 via Email or Visit to District Environment Division

Geumcheon-gu (Mayor Yoo Sung-hoon) is recruiting participating groups for the ‘2023 Carbon Neutral Lifestyle Practice Project’ until March 3 to create a carbon-zero city.

‘Carbon neutrality’ means minimizing greenhouse gas emissions caused by human activities and absorbing the remaining gases to achieve a net zero emission.

This project is designed to foster a culture of carbon reduction practiced directly by residents, moving away from government-led initiatives.

The project areas include ▲Zero Waste Activist Training and Education ▲Carbon Neutral Campaign and Promotion ▲Carbon Neutral Practice Projects. Support is provided up to 5 million KRW per group until the total budget of 20 million KRW is exhausted.

Any resident group or organization with 10 or more members residing or working in Geumcheon-gu can participate. A project briefing session will be held in February to help residents understand the project.

Interested groups can download related forms such as the project plan from the Geumcheon-gu Office website under ‘Notices and Announcements,’ complete them, and submit via email or visit the Environment Division on the 8th floor of Geumcheon-gu Office.

Geumcheon-gu will select four projects through a first departmental review and a second local subsidy review committee evaluation. Final results will be announced on the website and notified individually in March.

Mayor Yoo Sung-hoon said, “Carbon neutrality and climate change are issues we must solve together, and especially, practicing carbon neutrality in daily life within the community is important. We will actively support spreading a culture of zero waste and carbon neutrality in the region.”

Songpa-gu Calls for Local Community Project Proposals

Applications Accepted Until February 28 for ‘Local Community Projects’ to Discover and Solve Local Issues Together with Neighbors

Any Group of Three or More Songpa-gu Residents Can Participate... Up to 5 Million KRW Support

Songpa-gu (Mayor Seo Gang-seok) announced it is recruiting groups or organizations to participate in ‘Local Community Projects,’ where residents directly consider and solve local problems, until February 28.

The ‘Local Community Project’ is a resident participation contest project where residents directly plan, propose, and execute necessary projects to revitalize the local community. This aligns with the 8th local government vision to create a city where residents, as sovereign citizens, enjoy and are respected for their rights as owners.

The project themes can be anything where residents take the lead in discovering and solving local agendas. A total of 18 projects will be selected across three categories: ‘Activity Support Stage 1,’ ‘Activity Support Stage 2,’ and ‘Agenda Resolution Specialized Projects.’

First, ▲‘Activity Support Stage 1’ is for the initial stage of local activities. Groups of three or more local residents with no prior project experience can apply. It aims to expand resident networks and discover local issues, supporting up to 1.5 million KRW per team. ▲‘Activity Support Stage 2’ targets resident groups with multiple years of project experience, supporting up to 3 million KRW per team to solve local issues and enhance resident autonomy capabilities.

Additionally, ▲‘Agenda Resolution Specialized Projects’ are open to groups or organizations of five or more residents in the district. Prior project experience is not considered, but projects are selected in four areas?green natural city, safe city, inclusive city, and culture & sports city?with one project per area supported up to 5 million KRW each.

This year, the total support budget for local community projects is 50 million KRW, fully funded by the district without city funds. The district will directly communicate with residents and provide project consulting and education.

Residents wishing to participate can apply by visiting the Songpa-gu Autonomous Administration Division or emailing the person in charge by February 28.

The district will select 18 teams through resident participation evaluation based on project appropriateness and effectiveness, and announce results on the Songpa-gu Office website by the end of April.

Mayor Seo Gang-seok said, “For operating a district government that serves sovereign residents as owners, resident participation as administrative subjects is most important. Through this ‘Local Community Project,’ we hope to identify local issues and needs residents truly require and create a better Songpa-gu together.”