'AI Mobility National Pilot City' Takes Shape... Efforts to Boost Local SME and Venture Competitiveness

Gwangju-Jeonnam Venture Business Association Holds Innovation Venture Forum
Proposes Five Action Items, Including One-Stop Center for Transitioning to Future Vehicles

With preparations underway to create an “AI Mobility National Pilot City,” a key strategic industry for the future of Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City, a forum was held to discuss policies for improving the capabilities and strengthening the competitiveness of local small and medium-sized businesses and venture companies.

The Gwangju Jeonnam Venture Business Association, the Gwangju Jeonnam Women Venture Association, and the Gwangju Industry-Academia Convergence Institute held the 2026 Jeonnam-Gwangju Innovation Venture Forum at the Holiday Inn Gwangju Hotel on the 14th, under the theme “Growth Strategies for Small and Medium-Sized Venture Companies in Jeonnam-Gwangju, an AI Mobility National Pilot City.” Provided by the Gwangju Jeonnam Venture Business Association.

The Gwangju-Jeonnam Venture Business Association, chaired by Kim Hyunsu, the Gwangju-Jeonnam Women’s Venture Association, chaired by Go Sugyeong, and the Gwangju Industry-Academia Convergence Institute announced on October 15 that they had held the 2026 Jeonnam-Gwangju Innovation Venture Forum at Holiday Inn Gwangju Hotel on October 14. The forum focused on “Growth Strategies for Small and Medium-Sized Venture Businesses in Jeonnam-Gwangju, an AI Mobility National Pilot City.”

The forum was held alongside the 2026 3rd Leaders Forum for the Gwangju Specialized Complex for Autonomous Vehicle Parts and was co-hosted by Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City and the Jeonnam Information and Culture Industry Promotion Agency. About 90 people attended, including heads of related organizations and economic groups, as well as businesspeople. They included Kim Maseong, section chief at the Gwangju-Jeonnam Regional Office of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups; Kim Yeongsam, chairman of the Gwangju-Jeonnam Federation of the Korea Main-Biz Association; Lee Doyeol, head of the Gwangju-Jeonnam-Jeju Regional Headquarters of the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency; and Shin Hyeongu, CEO of the Gwangju Economic Promotion and Sangsaeng Jobs Foundation.

Noh Huiuk, head of the Innovation Strategy Promotion Team at the Gwangju Future Vehicle Mobility Promotion Agency, delivered the keynote address. “The global automotive industry is rapidly changing, with electrification, AI, and software-defined vehicles (SDVs) at its center,” he said, introducing the AIMO CITY project, which is planned to run from 2026 to 2032 with a budget of about 1.5 trillion won. Noh outlined a platform for growth that would enable a large number of local small and medium-sized businesses and venture companies to enter the market through an industrial innovation cluster based on physical AI and large-scale, city-level autonomous driving demonstrations.

Noh also proposed five action items to address the “four gaps” facing small and medium-sized businesses in information, funding, talent, and markets: a one-stop center for transitioning to future vehicles; vouchers providing access to data and GPUs; a quota system for participation in demonstrations; links to public procurement; and links to transition investment. He also emphasized matching demand for demonstrations, joint investor relations (IR), and relocating to regional demonstration hubs, urging local businesses to take part.

Practical training was also provided on preventing the leakage of companies’ assets and technologies. The Industrial Technology Protection Investigation Team of the Jeonnam Provincial Police Agency explained how to protect intellectual property rights and trade secrets, and outlined five key measures to block leaks through former employees or partner companies: compiling a list of trade secrets, controlling access rights, marking confidential information, drafting contracts, and managing employee departures.

In addition, Ijenodu Co., Ltd. introduced Together Well, a free benefits mall for employees of small and medium-sized businesses. It presented ways to provide benefits on par with those offered by large corporations, including discounts on KTX and SRT tickets and comprehensive health checkups, while connecting local small businesses with sales channels.

Go Sugyeong, chairwoman of the Gwangju-Jeonnam Women’s Venture Association, said, “Innovation and cooperation are more important than anything else if the local venture industry is to overcome the crisis and take the next step forward.” She added, “The two associations will join forces to take the lead in building a sustainable venture ecosystem.”

Kim Hyunsu, chairman of the Gwangju-Jeonnam Venture Business Association, also said, “With the launch of Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City, a major opportunity in the form of an AI Mobility National Pilot City is approaching.” He added, “This forum provided a meaningful opportunity for local small and medium-sized businesses and venture companies to develop practical growth strategies and strengthen their networks.”

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