First Infrastructure of Gwangju Station Startup Valley
Core Hub of the Gwangju-Style Startup Ecosystem
Home to Startups, Investors, and Support Organizations
Accelerating Creation of 1 Trillion Won Fund and Talent Development
Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong is delivering a welcome speech on the afternoon of the 19th at the 'STAG Opening Ceremony' held at Bitgoeul Startup Station in Buk-gu. Provided by Gwangju City
The Bitgoeul Startup Station (STA·G, hereafter referred to as STAG), which is the first infrastructure of the Gwangju Station Startup Valley?the largest of its kind in the Honam region and a key hub for leading the Gwangju-style startup ecosystem?has officially opened and begun full-scale operations. With the opening of STAG, Gwangju City will accelerate efforts to create a 1 trillion won startup fund, expand startup infrastructure, promote startup demonstrations, and foster talent.
On June 19, Gwangju City officially opened the Bitgoeul Startup Station (STA·G, hereafter referred to as STAG), which was built on the Gwangju Station baggage parking lot site in Jungheung-dong, Buk-gu. "STAG" stands for "STARTUP STATION GWANGJU," symbolizing "a stage where startups can realize their grand ambitions." It embodies the hope that startups will grow in Gwangju and leap onto the global stage.
With a total project cost of 35 billion won, the facility was completed in February on a 5,503-square-meter site, with five above-ground floors and a total floor area of 8,950 square meters. It serves as an integrated startup platform, housing startups, investment institutions (VCs and ACs), and startup support organizations together.
Accordingly, early-stage startups are provided with business-friendly office spaces and a variety of programs tailored to their growth stages. In particular, since both VCs and ACs are also located within the facility, the network-building opportunities are expected to help startups enter the market more effectively.
Approximately 300 people attended the opening ceremony, including Mayor Kang Gijeong, Vice Minister Kim Seongseop of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Executive Director Lee Jooyoung of Korea Credit Guarantee Fund, President Ko Byeongil of Gwangju Bank, as well as representatives from startups, investment firms, and startup support organizations based at STAG.
The opening event, themed "G-Startup 2030, Gwangju, Let’s Soar," featured a presentation of the vision for "Gwangju as Korea’s Startup Capital by 2030," the signing of a 100 billion won MOU for startup support funds between Gwangju City, Korea Credit Guarantee Fund, and Gwangju Bank, and a cooperation ceremony pledging partnership and mutual support among over 40 central government agencies, startup support organizations, and investment firms. Additional events included an investment attraction IR (corporate presentation), STAG promotional booths, and a flea market with participation from local residents and entrepreneurs near Gwangju Station.
STAG, which opened on this day, is equipped with 41 office spaces for startups and 5 dedicated spaces for investment institutions, as well as coworking spaces, meeting rooms, an open lounge, and a rooftop garden. These startup-friendly shared spaces are designed to promote active collaboration and networking among tenants.
Currently, 30 promising companies and organizations are located at STAG. More than 30 investment institutions are also stationed there to support investment and entrepreneurship, fostering a startup ecosystem that brings together both the private and public sectors. The resident companies and organizations have planned over 40 startup-related events this year alone, making STAG more than just a building?it is functioning as a core platform for Gwangju’s startup ecosystem.
The city plans to operate systematic and multi-dimensional startup support programs centered around STAG, including dedicated fund management, the Bitgoeul Investment Challenge, development of joint collaboration models with large and mid-sized companies, global expansion, and acceleration support. To this end, nine private investment partners nationwide have been selected to actively promote customized acceleration and global expansion programs.
Mayor Kang Gijeong stated, "During the 8th popularly elected administration, Gwangju City achieved its 500 billion won startup fund goal ahead of schedule, raising 623.6 billion won so far, and is now moving toward a 1 trillion won fund. We have also implemented demonstration support projects for 81 companies, utilizing various locations in Gwangju, and fostered 10 unicorn companies in the city," adding, "Going forward, focusing on the Gwangju Station Startup Valley, we will spare no effort to support startups in every way possible?from creating a 1 trillion won fund and nurturing talent, to demonstration and global expansion?so that startups can take on challenges and grow."
Meanwhile, Gwangju City is pursuing the "Gwangju Station Startup Valley Development Project" with a target completion year of 2027. This project aims to revitalize the declining city center by building high-impact startup support infrastructure on unused land at Gwangju Station as part of an urban regeneration initiative. The plan is to sequentially establish the following: the "Integrated Hub Center" for R&D convergence, the "Corporate Innovation Growth Center" for supporting startups and growth companies, and the "Social Economy Innovation Town" for supporting social economic organizations. Through this, the city intends to complete a one-stop startup ecosystem encompassing "startup, growth, and global expansion."
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