The Nation's Largest Youth App Competition 'Total Prize Money 55.5 Million Won'

Ministry of SMEs and Startups and SK Planet Host Smartin App+ Challenge 2023

The country's largest youth app development competition is taking place. On the 2nd, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced, "We will hold the 'Smartin App+ Challenge 2023' jointly with SK Planet." Smartin is a combination of Smart and Teenage, meaning 'creative teenage youth.' This competition has been held since 2011.

This year's competition accepts entries in three categories: △ Future Industry (AI, IoT) △ Life Information (general lifestyle fields) △ Entertainment (games and fun fields, utilizing AR/VR). Sixty teams that pass the document and preliminary evaluations will receive systematic support including entrepreneurship-related education, mentoring, and project-based training.

Through this process, 30 teams will be selected for the final evaluation. These teams will be awarded a total prize of 55.5 million KRW and supported with opportunities such as appearing on 'Jjoltu,' the startup internet broadcast of the country's largest youth entrepreneurship festival, 'BizCool Festival.' Notably, this year's competition plans to conduct various programs, including events and meetings with seniors and mentors, in person for the first time in three years since COVID-19.

Eligibility is limited to high school students nationwide and youth with equivalent qualifications. Idea teams can apply online through the T Academy website (https://tacademy.skplanet.com) by June 11, and development teams by May 14. For detailed information, inquiries can be made to the competition secretariat at 02-3477-6217.

Minister Lee Young of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups said, "I hope this will be a valuable opportunity to learn and experience the entire process of commercializing innovative ideas in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution," and added, "We will continue to actively support youth so they can enjoy various professional entrepreneurship experiences and education opportunities to cultivate entrepreneurial spirit."