Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Selects Additional Marine and Fisheries Startup Investment Support Center in Gyeongnam

Eight Centers to Operate Nationwide Starting This Year
Expanding Tailored Startup and Investment Support for Local Regions

Gyeongnam Technopark exterior. Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries is accelerating efforts to strengthen the marine and fisheries startup and investment ecosystem centered on local regions.

On March 3, the Ministry announced that it has selected one additional "Marine and Fisheries Startup Investment Support Center" in Gyeongsangnam-do, bringing the total number of centers in operation to eight starting from 2026.

The Marine and Fisheries Startup Investment Support Center is the leading startup and job support project in the marine and fisheries sector, currently operating in seven regional hubs-Busan and Jeju since 2015, and now in Gyeongbuk, Gangwon, Jeonnam, Chungnam, and Jeonbuk. The centers offer a variety of programs throughout the entire business lifecycle, from startup preparation to growth and expansion stages, including startup and management consulting, prototype development, marketing and sales channel support, and hosting investor relations (IR) events to attract investment.

The average project budget per center is 1.5 billion won, with 750 million won each provided by the national and local governments. Last year, the centers supported a total of 415 companies, including 37 newly established businesses, resulting in the creation of 1,795 new jobs.

This year, Gyeongnam Technopark was newly selected. It will provide tailored startup and investment support that reflects local industrial conditions, targeting prospective entrepreneurs and small businesses in the marine and fisheries sector in the Gyeongnam region. Through these efforts, the Ministry plans to strengthen the foundation for discovering and growing innovative companies linked to regional specialized industries.

Yang Youngjin, Director-General for Fisheries Policy at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, stated, "The Marine and Fisheries Startup Investment Support Center is a key hub driving the growth of innovative marine and fisheries companies in local areas. We will work closely with the local field to foster the growth of promising fisheries companies and further strengthen the virtuous cycle that connects startups, investment, and job creation."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.