The Ministry of SMEs and Startups said on the 11th that it will operate the Startup-BuS (BuS·Build up Strategy for Startups) program, an investment-attraction specialized support project of the Center for Creative Economy and Innovation, at all 17 innovation centers nationwide this year.
The program first began in May 2024 for innovation centers to support promising regional deep-tech startups from initial investment to follow-on funding connections. After pilot operations at five innovation centers (Gyeonggi, Incheon, North Chungcheong, Gwangju, Ulsan) in the same year, three new centers (Gangwon, South Gyeongsang, Jeju) were added the following year. This year, the program will be run at all centers.
It delivered meaningful results last year as well, following the year before. Eight centers discovered 1,089 corporations last year, and after accelerating 288 of them, a total of 123 secured direct and indirect investments amounting to about 56.5 billion won.
Starting in December last year, through an organic linkage with the Startup One-Stop Support Centers established at innovation centers nationwide, tailored support will be provided to regional startups from customized consultations to investment in one go. Since opening, the Startup One-Stop Support Centers have handled more than 4,200 consultations over two months, including legal, tax, management, and startup information. In Mar., an online consultation window will also be launched and operated.
In May, innovation centers nationwide will be divided into five regions to hold wide-area investment briefings. In Oct., nationwide investment briefings with participation from all innovation centers are planned.