Jeju Center Selects 31 Local Creators; Launches Program

Jeju Center for Creative Economy & Innovation (Jeju Center) has finally selected 31 local creator companies (teams) that will sublimate Jeju's beautiful nature and unique culture into business value, injecting new vitality into the revitalization of the local economy. Their powerful journey was announced with a successful launch ceremony and orientation recently held at J-SPACE within the center. This 'Local Creator Incubation Project,' hosted by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and organized by the Small Enterprise and Market Promotion Corporation (SEMAS), finalized 28 individual companies and 3 collaborative teams as participating enterprises for 2025 after a meticulous application and evaluation process spanning approximately 60 days. Particularly through evaluations focusing on 'regional characteristics' and 'growth potential,' small business owners belonging to 7 major fields such as local value, local food, and region-specific tourism were selected. They will receive commercialization funds of up to 40 million won for individuals and up to 70 million won for collaborations. The selected companies showcase diverse ideas embodying the charm of Jeju. In the individual category, 28 companies including Memilui Gohyang, Wayview, Heul, Jesung Co., Ltd., and Local Row were named. In the collaborative category, 3 teams including Gyulmedal Agricultural Corporation Co., Ltd., Ganse Co., Ltd., and Jeju Salt were listed. On this day, at the launch ceremony and orientation, not only the business operation direction and key schedule information were provided, but also an introduction to the 'LICORN' policy (aiming to grow into an icon of local commercial districts), education on commercialization fund execution and accounting, and an introduction to support projects linked to small business owners, offering practical information for the successful establishment of the participating companies. A Jeju Center official stated, "Through this project, we will further advance Jeju-based local startup ecosystem and lay a solid foundation for the selected local creators to grow into LICORN companies that leap beyond revitalizing local commercial districts and into the world." It is expected that these companies will bring positive ripple effects to the regional economy through innovative business models that leverage Jeju's regional characteristics.