Gwanak-gu Seeks Trainees for Startup Program for Entrepreneurs Starting Over After Business Closure

'Restart Startup School' launched for the first time
First-round applications open through Oct. 30

An educational program for people looking to start a business again after closing a previous one has been launched in Seoul's Gwanak-gu. Gwanak-gu, headed by Mayor Park Jun-hee, announced on October 20 that it is recruiting participants for the “2026 Gwanak S Valley Restart Startup School,” together with the Gwanak Small and Medium Venture Promotion Agency. The program is aimed at prospective second-time entrepreneurs and early-stage businesses founded by entrepreneurs restarting their ventures.

Poster announcing the recruitment of participants for the 2026 Gwanak S Valley Restart Startup School. Provided by Gwanak-gu.

The district launched the program for the first time this year to support entrepreneurs taking another shot at starting a business. It is designed to help them turn their experience of closing a business into an asset for a new venture and ease the practical difficulties they face when starting again.

The five-day program will run from November 23 to 27 at Sillim Venture Startup Center 1, near Seoul National University Venture Town Station. The curriculum covers startup trends and government support programs, business plan writing, practical applications of artificial intelligence (AI) for startups, strategies for entering the market at an early stage, business management including sales, tax, and labor matters, special lectures by veteran entrepreneurs, and group mentoring.

To help participants apply for government support programs, the program will combine business plan writing instruction with mentoring and also offer profile photo sessions. Graduates will receive support in preparing investor relations (IR) materials. They are also expected to receive additional points when applying for a spot in the Startup Center's non-resident office space.

The first round of applications closes on October 30. Eligible applicants are Gwanak-gu residents with a history of closing a business who are preparing to start another, and early-stage businesses based in Gwanak-gu that were launched after their founders closed a previous business. Around 20 participants will be selected. If all spots are not filled in the first round, a second round will be held without regional restrictions until 4 p.m. on November 20, with Gwanak-gu residents and businesses based in the district given priority. Applications may close early if all spots are filled.

Applicants can submit an online application using the QR code on the poster. For inquiries, contact the Gwanak S Valley Revitalization Team at the Gwanak Small and Medium Venture Promotion Agency at 02-871-0526.

The district has provided stage-by-stage support through Gwanak S Valley, from pre-startup to business growth, including demo days, investor matching days, open innovation, and technology consulting. It plans to expand its support to entrepreneurs starting over through this program.

“I hope this Restart Startup School will give people preparing to start a business again the opportunity to develop the skills they need to take on a new challenge,” Mayor Park Jun-hee said. “We will continue to provide support tailored to each stage of business development so that entrepreneurs making a fresh start can grow steadily at Gwanak S Valley.”

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