'Gwanak S-Valley 2.0' This Year's Progress? ...Corporate Support, Infrastructure Expansion

Full-scale Implementation of Gwanak S-Valley 2.0 Comprehensive Plan Across Five Key Areas Including Startup Infrastructure Expansion and Business Growth Support
Establishment of Gwanak Small and Medium Venture Promotion Agency, Designation as a Specific Development Promotion Zone, Participation in CES 2026, and Support for Business Growth and Capacity Building

Gwanak-gu (Mayor Park Jun-hee), recognized domestically and internationally as a 'cradle of venture startups,' is entering the final stage of Gwanak S-Valley 2.0, enhancing the completeness of its startup ecosystem.

As a rising hub for venture startups, the district is implementing a comprehensive plan for Gwanak S-Valley 2.0 this year across five key areas: ▲expansion of startup infrastructure ▲support for venture startup growth ▲raising awareness of Gwanak S-Valley ▲establishing cooperative systems ▲and institutional support.

In 2024, the total sales of companies residing in Gwanak S-Valley reached 56.5 billion KRW, a 54% increase compared to the previous year, while investment attraction also showed steady growth, recording 46.9 billion KRW.

In January, the district participated for the second consecutive year as the first autonomous district at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2025), expanding its network for overseas market entry, with four companies receiving innovation awards in five categories.

Startup infrastructure was also expanded by two locations within Nakseong Venture Valley and Sillim Startup Valley. Notably, the area around Nakseongdae-dong, Seoul National University, and Daehak-dong was selected as a ‘R&D Venture and Startup Specific Development Promotion Zone,’ marking a turning point as a hub for youth startups and technological innovation.

Based on this, Gwanak S-Valley plans to solidify its position this year as a ‘Global Startup Innovation Hub.’

First, in July, the district will establish the ‘Gwanak Small and Medium Venture Promotion Agency’ to provide systematic support for excellent venture startups within the district.

The promotion agency will play a key role in supporting stable settlement and continuous growth of startups by offering ▲customized consulting ▲overseas expansion support programs ▲and startup funding linkage throughout the entire growth cycle from early startup to scale-up.

The district will also sequentially proceed with administrative procedures for the final designation of the specific development promotion zone, laying the groundwork for building an innovative ecosystem concentrated with technology-based startups in fields such as artificial intelligence (AI) and information and communication technology (ICT).

Efforts will also be made to strengthen the domestic and international competitiveness of companies. The district plans to participate again in CES 2026 to showcase the innovative products and excellent technologies of Gwanak S-Valley companies.

Additionally, it will focus on supporting company growth by expanding startup scale-up programs and demo days, connecting with domestic and international investors.

Mayor Park Jun-hee stated, “Gwanak S-Valley 2.0 serves as the focal point of Gwanak-gu’s economic policy, directly linked to revitalizing the local economy and creating youth jobs beyond just startup support. This year, we will achieve tangible results from Gwanak S-Valley 2.0 and wholeheartedly support venture startups to grow into global unicorns.”

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