'Challenge! K-Startup 2025,' the largest cross-ministerial startup competition in Korea, jointly operated by 10 government ministries, has served as a key gateway for the domestic startup ecosystem by discovering startups with both technological prowess and business potential each year. In particular, the Innovation Startup League (General) is a preliminary league co-hosted by Creative Economy Innovation Centers nationwide, and is one of the main leagues of Challenge! K-Startup, attracting an average of over 1,000 teams annually.
This year, a total of 1,122 companies applied to the Innovation Startup League (General) through 16 Creative Economy Innovation Centers across the country. Of these, 40 companies recognized for their competitiveness and growth potential advanced to the integrated finals. These companies then competed in the integrated finals against other companies selected through leagues operated by different ministries, resulting in 8 companies from the Innovation Startup League advancing to the grand final.
As a result of the grand final, in the Preliminary Startup League, Plank Lab Co., Ltd. (CEO Kim Seokbeom) received the Excellence Award. In the Startup League, Easy Korea Co., Ltd. (CEO Kim Taewoo) won the Grand Prize, while Omnicote Co., Ltd. (CEO Park Soonhong), Pulsead Co., Ltd. (CEO Yoon Geoseong), and Amusly Co., Ltd. (CEO Choi Seungcheon) received Excellence Awards. Biocean Co., Ltd. (CEO Jung Woochul) was awarded the Encouragement Award. In addition, Pleaders Co., Ltd. (CEO Lim Chanyoung) and Liad Corporation Co., Ltd. (CEO Lee Byungjoo) received Special Awards.
The award-winning companies will receive practical follow-up support, including preferential evaluation in government startup support programs, expanded opportunities for investment attraction, and business advancement.
Given the lengthy journey from the preliminary leagues to the grand final due to the scale and nature of the competition, Creative Economy Innovation Centers nationwide have continued to provide support at intermediate stages to motivate participating companies and spread their achievements. In August, the Seoul Creative Economy Innovation Center held a separate awards ceremony for the top five companies that advanced to the integrated finals, highlighting outstanding companies early on and encouraging other companies preparing for further competition. Additionally, two Open Innovation Meetup Days were held, providing participating companies in the Innovation Startup League with opportunities to meet directly with investors and large or mid-sized companies to explore possibilities for business collaboration and investment linkage.
Furthermore, the Creative Economy Innovation Centers have supported participating companies by providing practical follow-up support such as IR advancement and business strategy consulting, thereby helping to strengthen their competitiveness. Based on this support, many companies have enhanced their technological sophistication and marketability, achieving outstanding results on the national competition stage.
A representative from the Creative Economy Innovation Center stated, "Through cooperation among centers, we will continue to discover outstanding companies and provide ongoing support to help them take the next leap forward."
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