"K-Webtoon Unicorns in the Making" Korea Manhwa Contents Agency Launches 'Webtoon IP Startup Center'

Official Designation as a Business Incubation Center by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups
Linked with a 93.4 Billion Won Fund and the Nation's Largest Cluster

The Korea Manhwa Contents Agency's startup support function will be elevated to a nationally certified professional incubation system.

On January 29, the agency announced that its startup support space within the Bucheon Business Center has been officially designated as a "Business Incubation Center (BI)" by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups. As a result, the "Webtoon IP Startup Support Center" will be fully operational starting this year.

This launch is particularly significant as it advances the previously operated "Webtoon-Specialized One-Person Creative Enterprise Support Center" system to the next level. Since its opening in 2021, the center has nurtured sixty-five prospective startup teams and one-person enterprises, building expertise that now enables the development of a sophisticated business model that goes beyond simply providing space.

The newly established center will focus on the commercialization and global expansion of webtoon intellectual property (IP). It will provide essential and practical solutions for startups to enhance their corporate value, including not only workspace and mentoring but also connections to professional investment institutions and support for entering overseas markets.

The infrastructure and financial resources to support this are also robust. The agency has already built the nation's largest cluster, leveraging both the Business Center and the Webtoon Convergence Center. By linking with a specialized fund worth 93.4 billion won, it offers strong financial backing to promising companies, enabling them to focus on growth without facing funding shortages.

Paek Jonghun, President of the Korea Manhwa Contents Agency, stated, "This BI designation marks a turning point in establishing a unique incubation model optimized for the comics and webtoon business," adding, "By fully mobilizing the agency's infrastructure, we will provide a solid ladder for our startups to grow into globally competitive unicorns."