Young entrepreneurs test ideas in Seoul neighborhoods

The Korea Times - Nov 6, 2026

"Come in, try it out and leave us some feedback." At a pop-up store in Ikseon-dong, Jongno District, Seoul, on Oct. 30, prototypes showcasing the ideas of 19 young startup teams caught visitors' attention. Each team had set up an interactive space to present its products and services, ranging from Korean-style pork cutlets served with green onion kimchi and soybean paste stew to lightweight hiking and camping backpacks made with functional fabrics, artificial intelligence-powered fortune-telling services and art studios. Visitors tried out the offerings, listened to explanations from the entrepreneurs and suggested areas for improvement. About 850 people visited the event that day. The pop-up store served as a real-world testing ground for a Seoul Metropolitan Government initiative linking youth entrepreneurship with the revitalization of neighborhood commercial districts. A total of 150 teams applied for the fifth edition of the Local Entrepreneur Development Program, known as "Local in Seoul," this year, with 24 ultimately selected. Since June, the teams have been preparing to launch

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Young entrepreneurs test ideas in Seoul neighborhoods

MORE NEWS

Oriental Mindoro rolls out El Niño plan for water, food security

Marbled monitor lizard rescued, released into wild in Batanes

[FRIENDS OF KOREA] An American teenager in Seoul in 1967

[FRIENDS OF KOREA] How one Peace Corps Volunteer helped deaf Koreans find their voice

[FRIENDS OF KOREA] Two Peace Corps Volunteers' brush with cinematic fame in 1960s Myeong-dong

Children bear cost of adoption delays, advocate says

Documentary spotlights Peace Corps Volunteer's role in Gwangju Uprising

Remembering Peace Corps' 15 years in Korea

Foreign residents' first hurdle is housing. Enkostay says it can clear it.

President's new YouTube show unlikely to get message across as intended

Inside look at 4-year mission behind Captain Q's unexpected resurgence

Young entrepreneurs test ideas in Seoul neighborhoods

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