Kim Sang-gon, a member of the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly Future Science Cooperation Committee (People Power Party, Pyeongtaek 1), urged a shift in support policies to address the investment and recruitment challenges faced by Gyeonggi-based startups during the 2025 administrative audit of the Future Growth Industry Bureau on the 10th (Monday).
In his inquiry, Kim stated, “Recently, startups are relocating to Gyeonggi Province to escape the high rent burden in Seoul, but on the ground, they are experiencing dual challenges of securing talent and attracting investment,” pointing out that “Gyeonggi startup companies are at a relative disadvantage.”
Kim further emphasized, “Startup innovation spaces should transform from mere workspaces into practical open innovation platforms that provide talent matching, investment linkage, and technology exchange,” and called for specific operational strategies to ensure that IR rooms and networking spaces within these innovation areas function as hubs for investment attraction and collaboration.
Additionally, Kim noted, “Although the number of startups in the province is increasing, investment and talent acquisition are stagnant,” highlighting the need to shift the focus of startup support policies from being space-centered to being ‘people and investment-centered.’”
In response, the head of the Future Growth Industry Bureau acknowledged that over 80% of venture capital firms are concentrated in Seoul, placing provincial startups at a disadvantage. However, they collaborated with the Economic Office to create a startup fund worth 200 billion won, investing 35 billion won in local companies. They also plan to offer occupancy spaces at 30-50% of the market rate in Pangyo and operate 26 hub-type startup spaces, including “Pangyo Startup Bridge,” to strengthen network and global investment attraction.
Finally, Kim urged that “While Gyeonggi Province has successfully expanded physical infrastructure like startup spaces, there is now a need to strengthen the tangible support system that connects startups to growth stages such as talent acquisition and investment attraction.” He requested active operational strategies and expansion of private cooperation to establish Southern Region Startup Innovation Spaces as innovation hubs where people and capital meet, beyond mere coworking spaces.