Gyeonggwa-won and ACNC's '2025 Company Builder Cohort 1' Demo Day Successfully Concludes

The '2025 Gyeonggi Startup Innovation Space Company Builder Support Program 1st Batch' Demo Day, hosted by Gyeonggi Province and the Gyeonggi Economic & Science Accelerator (hereinafter referred to as GBSA), and organized by early-stage investment specialist accelerator A C N D C, was successfully held on the 22nd at the Gyeonggi Southwestern Business Innovation Space in Anyang, heralding the birth of innovative startups. This program was established to systematically nurture early-stage and prospective startups with high growth potential within Gyeonggi Province. A C N D C, the organizing body, selected 40 carefully chosen teams for the 1st batch through its unique batch model 'D-Launch' process and conducted intensive acceleration for 12 weeks. Participating companies achieved explosive growth throughout the entire process, from market validation to business model (BM) advancement. Approximately 50 startup experts, including leading domestic accelerators (ACs) such as A C N D C, Yoonmin Creative Investment Foundation, and Ensle Partners, as well as cultural startup planners, attended the highly successful Demo Day. They observed the passionate IR pitches of the 20 teams selected as outstanding teams and critically evaluated the companies' innovativeness and market potential. Following rigorous evaluation, the esteemed award-winning teams were announced. The **Grand Prize (Builders)** went to 4 teams: ▲Dawon (Co-CEO Kang Do-won) ▲The Bean's (CEO Kim Aerin) ▲Six Letters (CEO Kim Sung-jin) ▲Carekl (CEO Choi Hyung-gyu). The **Excellence Award (Founders)** was received by 4 teams: ▲Buildhada (CEO Kim Seok-hee) ▲Studio BBB (CEO Lim Kwon-young) ▲Epicode (CEO Kim Ji-eun) ▲INT (CEO Ahn Sang-wook). Award-winning teams will be supported with direct investment opportunities from A C N D C (totaling over 200 million KRW to be reviewed within the year) as well as connections with leading partner investors. This will serve as a strong stepping stone for these companies to advance to the next level. This first batch program proved its effectiveness through the remarkable achievements of all participating teams. They consecutively achieved significant milestones, including business model advancement, securing seed investment, and selection for TIPS (Tech Incubator Program for Startup), injecting new vitality into Gyeonggi Province's startup ecosystem. Kim Kyung-bok, Co-CEO of A C N D C, stated, "The outstanding achievements demonstrated by the first batch teams will be a driving force to elevate Gyeonggi Province's startup ecosystem to the next level," and "We will continue to serve as a reliable partner for these companies in attracting follow-up investments and achieving sustained growth." The future of the innovative companies fostered by Gyeonggi Province is highly anticipated.