Jeju: APEC Springboard to Global Startup Hub, Networking Succeeds

Jeju has taken a bold first step towards becoming a global startup hub. 'JOIN 2025,' which concluded on the 1st in Seogwipo, was a large-scale global networking conference held in conjunction with the APEC SME Ministerial Meeting, bringing together over 500 domestic and international startup ecosystem stakeholders. This event will be recorded as a crucial turning point that elevated Jeju's startup ecosystem to the next level. The Jeju Creative Economy Innovation Center, the Association of Creative Economy Innovation Centers, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups co-hosted the event, with Kakao participating as a key partner, adding depth to the conference. A notable achievement was the signing of a 'Joint Agreement for the Development and Revitalization of Local Startup Ecosystems' by major startup ecosystem associations and organizations, including the Association of Creative Economy Innovation Centers, solidifying a strong commitment to local-based growth. Jeju Governor Oh Young-hoon presented the vision "Jeju will become a gateway for global startups" and wished for the success of the event. The conference covered a variety of topics, ranging from scale-up strategies for local startups to methods for global market entry. In the 'Regional Leap, Scale-up Strategy' forum, discussions delved deep into restructuring local startup support systems and establishing private cooperation networks. The 'Local Business Forum' introduced the Ministry of SMEs and Startups' 'Licon' policy and Jeju local government's creator economy model, providing a practical foundation for growth to aspiring entrepreneurs. In the global session, international experts from Japan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and other countries broadened perspectives by sharing examples of global cooperation and strategies for startups to enter overseas markets. During the open innovation session, leading companies such as LS Electric and Doosan Enerbility shared their experiences of mutual growth with startups through collaboration with the Creative Economy Innovation Centers. In the insight session, Upstage CEO Kim Sung-hoon presented 'The Direction of Industry and Startups in the AI Era,' offering a future vision. In the investment IR session, 16 excellent startups carefully selected from across the country showcased their innovative items to approximately 30 investment reviewers, engaging in fierce competition for investment attraction. Lee Byung-sun, head of the Jeju Creative Economy Innovation Center, assessed JOIN 2025 as "a decisive turning point for Jeju to firmly leap forward as a global startup hub," and emphasized that it was a valuable networking platform where Jeju, a place where innovative ideas spring forth, could connect closely with the world. This conference presented a new model for a region-centric startup ecosystem expanding onto the global stage, confirming Jeju's infinite potential as a startup hub in the Asia-Pacific region.