In South Korea, startup ecosystem has been receiving tremendous support from government and private organisations. Gyeonggi Province, located to south of Seoul, is the most populous and key economic region in the country. Home to many global companies and the renowned Pangyo Techno Valley, it is also base of Gyeonggido Business & Science Accelerator (GBSA), a leading organization dedicated to supporting the growth and innovation of startups and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) in the region.
GBSA was established in 2012 as part of the Gyeonggi Provincial Government’s efforts to foster economic growth and support the development of SMEs in the region. The organization operates multiple facilities, including a startup incubator, a biotech incubator, and a research center for advanced technology.
Startup Venture Support
GBSA provides a range of support services to startups and SMEs, including mentoring and coaching, business planning, market analysis, and funding support. The organization has established partnerships with numerous other institutions, including universities, research institutes, and private sector companies, to support the development of innovative technologies and new business models.
GBSA has a strong focus on fostering specialized industries in Gyeonggi-do, including biotech, robotics, smart manufacturing, and environmental technology. In addition to supporting local startups and SMEs, GBSA is also engaged in global initiatives to promote entrepreneurship and innovation. For example, the organization is a member of the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP), and has participated in international conferences and events to share its expertise and network with other organizations around the world.
GBSA’s focus is on fostering specialized industries, developing advanced technologies, and supporting the commercialization of biotechnology, GBSA plays a critical role in driving economic growth and creating a shared growth ecosystem for mutual cooperation.
One of the core missions of GBSA is to make it easy for good ideas to lead to business. The organization provides support at every stage of the startup process, from discovering promising solutions to nurturing fledgling businesses and helping them overcome challenges. By providing field-oriented support to foster specialized industries in Gyeonggi-do, GBSA helps ensure that startups have the resources they need to succeed.
Leading 4th industrial revolution
GBSA is at the forefront of the fourth industrial revolution, with a particular focus on developing advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. By fostering future industries and supporting the commercialization of biotechnology, GBSA is helping to build a better corporate environment and create a shared growth ecosystem for mutual cooperation.
GBSA is also playing a critical role in opening the door to the overseas market, so that promising SMEs in Gyeonggi-do can grow into global enterprises. Through the efforts of the Gyeonggi Business Center and Textile Marketing Center, GBSA is supporting the development of overseas markets that are suitable for the unique characteristics of each company. In the digital economy era, GBSA is striving to diversify export markets by preemptively responding to changes in the global market environment.
Forging international partnerships
GBSA is helping to promote international collaboration among startups in Gyeonggi-do. Through its Global Startup Center program, GBSA has established partnerships with several leading startup organizations in other countries, such as Startup Chile in Chile and Station F in France. These partnerships provide Gyeonggi-do startups with access to international networks, resources, and funding opportunities, which can help them expand their businesses and reach new markets.
One of the success stories of GBSA is its support for the development of a biotechnology startup called Genoplan, which provides personalized DNA testing services for individuals. Genoplan was struggling to find investment and funding for its innovative business idea, but with GBSA’s support, the startup was able to secure a significant amount of funding and successfully launch its business. Today, Genoplan is considered one of the most promising biotech startups in South Korea, and its success is in part due to the support and guidance it received from GBSA.
GBSA has also launched several innovative programs to support women entrepreneurs and promote gender equality in the startup ecosystem. For example, its “Smart Women” program provides training, mentoring, and networking opportunities to women-led startups in Gyeonggi-do, helping to bridge the gender gap in entrepreneurship and promote women’s economic empowerment.
Overall, GBSA is playing a critical role in fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth in Gyeonggi-do, and its impact is being felt not only in the local community but also internationally. Its success stories and innovative programs are inspiring other organizations around the world to adopt similar approaches to support startups and SMEs in their own communities.
By fostering specialized industries, developing advanced technologies, and supporting the commercialization of biotechnology, GBSA is driving economic growth and creating a shared growth ecosystem for mutual cooperation. With its focus on opening doors to the overseas market and diversifying export markets, GBSA is helping promising SMEs in Gyeonggi-do to grow into global enterprises, and contributing to the region’s economic success.
