"Revitalizing Local Startup Investment"... Ministry of SMEs and Startups Launches Angel Investment Hub Project

Support for Networking Between Regional Startups and Angel Investors
Strengthening Discovery and Expertise of Angel Investors

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Korea Angel Investment Association announced on the 19th that they will actively support the revitalization of regional angel investment through the 2025 Regional Angel Investment Hub project.

The Regional Angel Investment Hub was established in 2021 to address the concentration of angel investment in the metropolitan area and to create an early-stage investment ecosystem at the regional level. It is currently operating in four regions nationwide. The hub focuses on connecting regional startups with angel investors, discovering and nurturing angel investors, collaborating with regional innovation institutions, and strengthening angel investment expertise.

First, the Angel Investment Bridge Program supports connecting regional startups with angel investors. The Angel Investment Bridge Program supports regional early-stage startups seeking investment through three stages: investment consultation meetings, IR, and networking, selecting companies with high business potential and providing practical support up to actual investment attraction.

Support is also provided for discovering and nurturing angel investors. The regional hubs assist in discovering angel investors, enhancing expertise in managing private investment associations, and supporting angel clubs to foster an investor ecosystem for regional early-stage startups.

To improve awareness of angel investment and provide guidance on investment cases, briefing sessions are held to attract potential investors who have the willingness to invest but are considering how to do so into the investment market. Additionally, this year, for the first time, a practical training program will be implemented to provide information on the formation, registration, and operation of private investment associations, as well as legal investment obligations and restrictions on conduct, targeting general partners (including prospective ones) of private investment associations by region.

Furthermore, cooperation with regional innovation institutions and strengthening of angel investment expertise are pursued. The regional hubs collaborate with local governments and startup and investment-related organizations within their jurisdiction to jointly hold startup-investor networking events and strengthen cooperation. To enhance the expertise of angel investors active in the regions, each regional hub forms a pool of experts to provide ongoing consulting services on legal matters, accounting, and investment contract drafting necessary for angel investment review.

Cho Min-sik, Chairman of the Korea Angel Investment Association, said, "Angel investment is an activity that plants the seeds of innovation and plays an important role in the growth of startups and the revitalization of regional economies," adding, "The regional hubs plan to operate various support programs aiming not only to establish an investment foundation but also to achieve tangible investment results."

Kim Bong-deok, Director of Venture Policy at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, stated, "Through the Regional Angel Investment Hub, we plan to revitalize the early-stage startup investment ecosystem within regions and strengthen the connection between startups and investors."