Seoul City to Nurture 'Youth Bosses' to Revive Local Businesses... Recruiting 3rd Class for Golmok Startup School

On-site Theory + Practical Training, Mentoring, and Up to 70 Million KRW Startup Fund Loan Package Support

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 18th that it is recruiting 20 students for the 3rd term of the "Golmok Startup School (Seongsu-dong, Seongdong-gu)."

Opened in July last year in Seongsu-dong, Seongdong-gu, the "Golmok Startup School" is a practical startup education institution in the food service and dessert sectors, equipped with classrooms and practice rooms. The 1st term had 18 graduates, and currently, 20 students are undergoing training in the 2nd term. Among the 18 graduates of the 1st term, 6 have started and are operating cafes and restaurants in areas such as Gangseo, Mapo, and Yongsan districts.

The target applicants are young people aged 19 to 39 who wish to start a business in the food service and dessert industries. Selected students will receive intensive and in-depth training four times a week for about four months starting in September.

The theoretical education focuses on practical tasks such as commercial area analysis and business model development, which are the first steps in preparing for a startup, as well as lease contracts. Especially from this year, a specialized course will be additionally operated by analyzing the business plans submitted by applicants at the time of enrollment. Practical training is conducted in practice rooms equipped with professional equipment for food service and dessert sectors, such as gas burners, ovens, fermenters, and coffee machines, under the guidance of experts. Students can receive help in various areas, including equipment usage and recipe development.

Mentoring matches successful senior entrepreneurs as mentors to the students, providing opportunities to learn not only business operation know-how but also management philosophy. This is designed to apply on-site information to startup situations. In addition, low-interest "startup funds," which are an important foundation for starting a business, will be loaned up to 70 million KRW exclusively to graduates. This aims to lower the barrier to entrepreneurship by solving one of the major difficulties for young entrepreneurs, which is funding.

The application period for students is until the 3rd of next month, and applications can be made through the Seoul Metropolitan Government Self-Employment Support Center website. Any young person aged 19 to 39 (as of the announcement date) registered as a resident in Seoul can apply.

Applicants will undergo document screening and interviews. Seoul will carefully review planning ability and expertise, including business plans, startup items, related experience, and certifications, before selecting the final students.

Im Geun-rae, the head of the Small Business Policy Division of Seoul, said, "Golmok Startup School is a package-type education program where students can comprehensively receive theoretical and practical education, mentoring and consulting, and financial support necessary for startups," adding, "We will conduct intensive and systematic education to nurture young entrepreneurs who will revitalize neighborhood commercial districts."

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