Over 1,000 visitors recorded so far this year, reflecting sustained global interest in Korea's startup ecosystem
[소셜밸류=박완규 기자] Seoul Startup Hub Gongdeok, the city's flagship startup support institution operated by the Seoul Business Agency (SBA, CEO Kim Hyun-woo), is drawing steady and growing attention from domestic and international startup ecosystem stakeholders through its Hub Tour Program.
The Hub Tour Program is open to startup-related organizations, institutions, companies, and members of the general public — both domestic and international — offering guided introductions to the hub's key facilities and startup support initiatives. Visitors explore spaces including the co-working area, partner networking facilities, and Kitchen Incubator, while gaining insight into Seoul's startup policies and the outcomes of its startup support programs.
This year, Seoul Startup Hub introduced a new Inbound Program tailored specifically for international entrepreneurs who apply through the Hub Tour, alongside a packaged tour format customized to different visitor profiles.
The Inbound Program is designed for foreign founders seeking to launch a business in Seoul, offering an immersive weekday program. Morning sessions cover the strengths of Seoul's startup ecosystem and the city's entrepreneurship support policies, followed by an English-language guided tour of the main building and Product Development Support Center. Afternoon sessions feature practical, hands-on content — including a fireside talk with a global entrepreneur who has built a company in Korea, an overview of Korea's investment landscape and key players, and a workshop on crafting investor-ready IR decks and pitching effectively to Korean investors.
A key highlight of the program is a structured networking session between visiting international founders and resident startups at Seoul Startup Hub — creating space to explore collaboration opportunities, exchange experiences of Korea's startup culture, and build meaningful connections. The program aims to serve as a gateway that supports promising international entrepreneurs in entering Seoul's startup scene and establishing themselves within its ecosystem.
The Hub Tour Program recorded 160 sessions and approximately 1,800 visitors in 2024. So far this year, it has already reached 82 sessions and over 1,000 visitors, reflecting continued and growing enthusiasm compared to the same period last year.
One participant shared: "It was impressive to hear about Seoul's well-structured startup support policies and to experience firsthand how the infrastructure operates — organically and dynamically. There is a great deal we can draw on for building our own startup ecosystem back home." The participant added: "I'd love to explore concrete ways we could work together."
Visitors have spanned a wide range of institution types — from startup support organizations and public agencies to universities and educational bodies. International visitors have been particularly notable: overseas institutions accounted for approximately 42 sessions across 20+ countries, representing around 51% of total visits this year — a strong testament to Seoul's growing global standing as a startup hub.
Delegations from government agencies, universities, and investment institutions in Denmark, Vietnam, Malaysia, Germany, and beyond have made their way to the hub. Among the most prominent visitors were NYU Stern MBA (United States), Jurong Town Corporation — JTC (Singapore), the European Innovation Council — EIC, and the University of Tokyo, all of which came to benchmark Seoul's startup support systems and startup development practices.
One visit in particular has evolved into a lasting partnership. The Hanoi Department of Science and Technology (DOST) visited Seoul Startup Hub Gongdeok to benchmark its operational model and startup incubation framework. Following the tour, the two organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for program sharing and cooperation — a prime example of a tour visit becoming the starting point for meaningful international collaboration.
As domestic and international visitors continue to flock to the hub, Seoul Startup Hub Gongdeok is steadily cementing its position as a cornerstone of Seoul's startup ecosystem and a globally recognized destination for benchmarking.
"The Hub Tour Program has grown into far more than a facility visit — it now serves as a platform connecting startup ecosystem stakeholders through networking and collaboration," said a representative of Seoul Startup Hub. "We will continue to operate it as a key touchpoint for showcasing Seoul's startup support policies and outstanding startup stories to audiences at home and abroad."
The Hub Tour Program operates Monday through Friday, from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and can be booked through the Seoul Startup Hub Gongdeok official website. An English-language tour option is available.
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