Gangwon Land Foundation and Gangwon Province Join Hands to Boost Food Service Startups in Coal Industry Transition Areas

Foundation's "Jeongtaeyeongsam Matkaeda" Success Strategies
Synergy Maximized by Combining with Provincial Startup Support Project

The Gangwon Land Social Contribution Foundation (Chairman Chulgyu Choi) announced on January 9 that it had signed a business agreement with the Global Headquarters of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province (headed by Changhwan Son) at the High1 Palace Hotel in Jeongseon to promote startups in the food service sector in coal industry transition areas.

Chulgyu Choi, Chairman of the Kangwon Land Social Contribution Foundation, signed a business agreement on the 9th at the High1 Palace Hotel in Jeongseon with Changhwan Son, Head of the Global Headquarters of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, to promote startups in the food service sector in coal industry transition areas. Provided by Kangwon Land

Approximately 10 officials from both organizations attended the signing ceremony, including Kim Ikrae, Executive Director of the Foundation, and Changhwan Son, Head of the Global Headquarters of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province.

This agreement was established to enhance the effectiveness of supporting food service startups in coal industry transition areas and to strengthen the success rate and sustainability of these startups by linking the Foundation's "Jeongtaeyeongsam Matkaeda" program with Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province's "Startup Activation Support Project."

"Jeongtaeyeongsam Matkaeda" is the Foundation's flagship small business support program, which has provided menu consulting, shop environment improvements, and marketing know-how to small restaurants in coal industry transition areas since 2017.

Through the "Jeongtaeyeongsam Matkaeda" program, the Foundation supported the reopening of 33 restaurants by last year, achieving an average sales increase of 136% compared to before support, and is recognized as a practical model for regional coexistence.

Under this agreement, the two organizations will jointly carry out the entire process, including discovering food service startup teams in coal industry transition areas, operating specialized training programs, providing business funding and promotional support, and post-management of startup teams.

In particular, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province will be responsible for establishing infrastructure such as facility construction through an annual startup support project worth 2 billion KRW, while the Foundation will maximize the effectiveness of collaboration by providing on-site consulting in the food service sector, including professional training and menu development support by Gangwon Land chefs and hoteliers.

Chairman Chulgyu Choi stated, "This agreement is significant as it is a collaborative model combining the policy support of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province with the Foundation's field experience," adding, "We will contribute to strengthening the competitiveness of food service entrepreneurs in coal industry transition areas and building a sustainable startup ecosystem."