Gyeonggi Center for Creative Economy and Innovation Holds Consulting Session for Four Startups

The Gyeonggi Center for Creative Economy and Innovation convened a consulting event on August 13 focused on matching Pangyo-area startups with experienced professionals to address operational challenges and explore market expansion opportunities.

The session brought together four early-stage companies from the center’s portfolio—necton, Arica, LCS and Sentinel DeepActive—and consultants from the Korea Investment Advisor Association, shifting the format away from conventional investor pitches toward detailed discussion of each startup’s immediate business hurdles. The portfolio companies included both incubatees and an investment-backed firm.

Discussions covered AI adoption and onboarding strategies, manufacturing and distribution channel development, Seed and bridge-round fundraising, collaboration with financial institutions, and strategic partnerships with large corporations. Rather than generic guidance, participating advisors provided tailored feedback drawing on their own industry and finance networks, with follow-up meetings and introductions planned where concrete opportunities were identified.

A representative of the Gyeonggi Center said the program was designed to step beyond standard mentoring and let startups share specific challenges with experts who can offer practical solutions. “We will continue to leverage the industrial and financial networks of these professionals to support channel development and business cooperation that translate into real growth opportunities,” the spokesperson said.

The Gyeonggi Center runs commercialization, investment linkage, and open innovation programs for promising startups. Pangyo Startup Zone, where the session took place, is a joint venture of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Korea Startup Forum and the Gyeonggi Center, offering office space and business-development support to early-stage companies in the region. The center plans to expand collaboration with local specialist organizations and industry networks and deliver more field-oriented growth programs.