Gwangmyeong Startup Support Center Leads Four Startups to Government Project Selection, Secures KRW 1.59 Billion in Funding

Gwangmyeong Provides Comprehensive Support Throughout Project Application Process
Assistance With Business Plan Writing, Presentation Coaching, and Demonstration Projects
Creating a Growth Ladder for Startups...Helping Them Overcome the 'Death Valley'
Mayor Seungwon Park: "We Will Strengthen the Ecosystem for Innovative Company Growth"

The Gwangmyeong City Startup Support Center in Gyeonggi Province is establishing itself as a growth hub for local startups by consecutively supporting them to make inroads into government-sponsored projects. This year, four local companies that received close support from the center were selected for government and public institution projects, securing a total of 1.59 billion won in project funding.

Seungwon Park, Mayor of Gwangmyeong (second from left), signed a four-party business agreement in March at the city hall video conference room to promote the "Smart City Regulatory Sandbox Demonstration Project" with Donghui Shin, CEO of Sleeno Co., Ltd., the project execution agency (third from left); Hanggi Lee, chairman of Gwangmyeong Traditional Market, the project site (first from right); and Deokbae Jeon, union head of Gwangmyeong Saemaul Market. They took a commemorative photo together. Provided by Gwangmyeong City

On July 23, Gwangmyeong City (Mayor Seungwon Park) announced that startups supported by the Startup Support Center have been successively selected for government project competitions, paving the way for commercialization and technological advancement.

This achievement is credited to the center's comprehensive support across the entire process—from preparing business plans and presentation materials, to presentation coaching and connecting with demonstration projects—helping early-stage startups overcome the so-called "Death Valley" often caused by lack of funding.

A prime example is Sleno Co., Ltd. (CEO Donghui Shin), which develops innovative fire safety equipment based on artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things (AIoT). The company secured project funding by being selected for the Smart City Regulatory Sandbox Demonstration Project by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. The Startup Support Center collaborated with the city’s Job and Economy Division to ensure that technology demonstrations could be conducted at Gwangmyeong Traditional Market and Saemaul Market.

Donghui Shin, CEO of Sleno, stated, "Even when a startup has excellent technology, it is not easy to obtain opportunities for demonstration. However, the Startup Support Center provided an opportunity to validate our technology by connecting us with city departments. They have been a reliable partner, sharing the concerns from initial funding to growth strategies."

Another case is Media & Mediology (Co-CEOs Jeongha Park and Kwangil Jeong), a manufacturer that uses eco-friendly materials and processes. The company secured project funding by being selected for the Maker Space project promoted by the Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development. As a result of the center supporting inter-company collaboration, Media & Mediology plans to work together with "Modueui Gyoyuk," a local startup, to develop prototypes of educational puzzles.

Media & Mediology decided to undertake the production of math education puzzle prototypes for elementary, middle, and high schools in collaboration with the local startup "Modueui Gyoyuk"—an initiative made possible by the consistent efforts of the Gwangmyeong Startup Support Center to facilitate company meetings and collaborative opportunities.

CEO Jeongha Park said, "After taking the first step with startup funding from Gwangmyeong City, we have continuously grown the business with education, mentoring, and collaboration support from the Startup Support Center. Now, with an external project selection, we have a foundation for commercialization, and we will accelerate our efforts in developing eco-friendly products and expanding our sales channels."

Tourang (CEO Hyejin Koo), which develops online Korean language education content for foreigners and the hearing impaired, was selected for the Youth Startup Academy organized by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, securing commercialization funds. Utilizing the shared office at the Startup Support Center helped reduce initial startup costs, and systematic assistance with business plan writing and presentation preparation contributed to achieving these results.

Seungwon Park, Mayor of Gwangmyeong City, is communicating with participants at the "Startup Connect Forum" held at the Upcycle Art Center in November last year. Provided by Gwangmyeong City

Saenggak Silhyeonso (CEO Suyeon Park), an animation content company based on original characters, was also selected for the Startup-Centered University Support Project by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, securing funding to develop global Hangul education content for infants and toddlers.

Gwangmyeong City plans to accelerate the construction of a startup ecosystem that encompasses not only providing startup spaces, but also linking investment attraction, acceleration, inter-company networking, demonstration projects, and sales channel development. In particular, the city aims to strengthen customized support at each growth stage, creating a virtuous cycle that leads from government-sponsored projects to private investment.

In addition, since May of this year, the city has been pushing forward with the "2026 Gwangmyeong City Glocal Startup Challenge" to expand the startup ecosystem. The program supports domestic and overseas startups in new industries that have been established for less than seven years to settle in Gwangmyeong City.

Mayor Seungwon Park stated, "The growth of startups goes beyond the achievements of a single company and leads to greater competitiveness in the local economy. With the Startup Support Center as the core, we will further strengthen the startup ecosystem—from founding and commercialization to funding attraction and inter-company collaboration—so that Gwangmyeong becomes a city where innovative companies can grow."

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