Gyeonggi Province Economic Science Promotion Agency Holds Demo Day for Northeastern University Youth Startup Challenge
The Gyeonggi Province Economic Science Promotion Agency (hereinafter referred to as the Agency) announced that it held the '2026 Gyeonggi Northeastern Youth Startup Challenge Demo Day' on the 18th at the Gyeonggi Startup Innovation Space Northeast Division (Guri) in collaboration with Kyungbok University, Daejin University, and Cha University of Science.
The demo day served as the final program of the '2026 Gyeonggi Northeastern Youth Startup Challenge,' which was first launched this year in connection with the Gyeonggi Anchor University in the northeastern region of Gyeonggi Province, and was organized to share achievements to date and discover outstanding young startup teams in the region.
The event was attended by approximately 50 people, including Yoo Tae-il, Standing Executive Director of the Corporate Growth Division of the Agency, related officials from participating universities, investment experts, and participating teams.
Twelve teams that passed preliminary evaluations took the demo day stage and conducted IR pitches to investment experts. The participating teams presented startup ideas that combined technology and market viability in various fields including AI, healthcare, smart farming, and intellectual property.
Investment experts evaluated the business viability of participating teams, focusing on business models, technological competitiveness, market potential, and growth prospects.
As a result of the judging, Kyungbok University's 'Tego,' which presented a road sign carbon sign that captures carbon dioxide, received the Vision Award. The Innovation Award went to Cha University of Science's 'Choice,' which presented tampons with innovative structures to prevent menstrual blood leakage.
The Growth Award went to Daejin University's 'Space On,' which presented a medical accompaniment platform, and the Technology Award was given to Kyungbok University's 'Realize Soft,' which developed an AI video production and management service. The four winning teams were presented with awards from the Agency Director.
Previously, the Agency and the three universities signed a memorandum of understanding in May to revitalize the startup ecosystem in the northeastern region of Gyeonggi Province. A total of 32 teams applied for the challenge, and 21 teams selected through university-level evaluation participated in step-by-step programs from July, including business plan education, corporate diagnosis, consulting, and IR capacity enhancement.
Yoo Tae-il, Standing Executive Director of the Corporate Growth Division, stated, "This youth startup challenge is a collaborative example of concretizing startup ideas of young people in the region by connecting the startup infrastructure and professional capabilities of the Agency and universities in the northeast," and added, "Based on these results, we will review plans to expand youth startup programs in connection with Gyeonggi Anchor Universities throughout the province."