Gyeongbuk Local Startups: Dazzling Success, A Regional Innovation Model

The ‘Gyeongbuk Local Change-up Project,’ promoted by the Gyeongbuk Center for Creative Economy & Innovation, has emerged as a successful model for a local-centric startup ecosystem in just three years. This project, which reinterprets Gyeongbuk's tangible and intangible assets into modern brands to create economic value, recorded a high competition rate of 17:1 in its 2025 company recruitment, proving strong interest and trust in local startups. Participating companies are achieving remarkable results in various areas, including content development, investment attraction, and global expansion. ‘Jeodong Coffee’ (Ulleung Pumpkin & Salt Caramel) from Ulleungdo and ‘Heung-hae Rice Agricultural Corporation’ (Heung-hae Rice Distilled Spirits & Makgeolli) from Pohang were finally selected for the Ministry of SMEs and Startups' ‘2025 Local Creator Incubation Project,’ recognizing their business potential. In particular, Jeodong Coffee gained public recognition after being featured as a filming location for the Netflix variety show ‘Daewhanjang Gianjang,’ and showcased the potential of Gyeongbuk's tourism content by winning an excellence award in the ‘2025 Gyeongbuk Tourist Souvenir Contest’ and achieving 336% of its target amount in Naver Happybean crowdfunding. ‘Malt & Farmers’ (low-sodium fermented foods) from Cheongdo attracted 10 million won in private investment through crowdfunding, and was subsequently selected for the Ministry of SMEs and Startups' ‘2024 Private Investment-Linked Matching Loan (LIPS)’ project, securing 50 million won in government policy funds, thereby presenting a successful model for public-private partnership in investment attraction for local companies. ‘Curesing’ from Yeongju successfully launched its rayon body scrub towel brand ‘Ttaemigo’ at the ‘World Korean Business Convention,’ showcasing Korea's unique scrub culture to business leaders worldwide and achieving a complete sell-out of products on-site. Currently, it is pursuing brand patent applications and global platform entry, raising expectations for its leap to become an export-oriented local brand. The Gyeongbuk Center for Creative Economy & Innovation supports the growth of selected companies by providing not only commercialization funding but also comprehensive customized programs, including advanced branding, prototype development, and private investment attraction. CEO Yu Joo-hyun stated, "Startup ideas originating from the region are leading to enhanced brand competitiveness and increased investment attraction capabilities for Gyeongbuk," and added that the center will strive for continuous support and ecosystem development to help local startups grow into competitive entities not only nationwide but also on the global stage. The ‘Gyeongbuk Local Change-up Project’ will serve as a practical foundation for responding to the crisis of regional decline and revitalizing local areas, and will play a crucial role in spreading the competitiveness of local brands beyond Gyeongbuk to the entire nation and the world.