Kookmin University to Market-Test Startup Ideas with Youth Mutual-Growth Market on Seongbukcheon Stream

[Financial News]  Kookmin University is operating a hands-on startup program that tests ideas developed through its startup education programs with actual consumers. Trainees and companies based in the university’s Campus Town will present their products and services directly, incorporating consumers’ willingness to purchase and feedback into the commercialization process.
Kookmin University’s Campus Town Project Group announced on the 23rd that it will hold the “Seongbuk Bukjeokbukjeok Youth Mutual-Growth Market” next month and in November at the Fountain Maru Square on Seongbukcheon Stream in Seoul, in cooperation with Seongbuk-gu Office.
The event is being organized as part of “Seongbuk ON Alley Connection,” a program designed to address local issues. It follows “Seongbuk ON Startup Education,” held last August for prospective and early-stage entrepreneurs as well as companies based in Kookmin University’s Campus Town.
The program focuses on testing business ideas developed and refined during the education course in the actual market rather than leaving them in the classroom. Participants will gather consumer evaluations of their products and assess purchase intent on-site, then use the feedback to improve their products and services and refine their business models. The market will feature Robcall, which operates a food brand using locally produced agricultural products; PETEECO, which offers pet products made from eco-friendly materials; Jachwi Baekgwa Jido, an AI-based proptech platform; and Olint Island, which operates an AI diet-coach service.
Kim, Jong-Sung, head of Kookmin University’s Campus Town Project Group, will also introduce the trainees’ products and services on-site and gather consumer feedback.
The event will be held twice. The first session will run from October 2 to 4, and the second from November 13 to 14. Operating hours are from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. In addition to product sales by startup companies and trainees, the market will feature busking performances and hands-on activities.
Son Jin-sik, head of Kookmin University’s Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation, said, "The significance of this startup education program lies in the fact that it does not end in the classroom but leads to opportunities to meet actual customers." He added, "We will support the trainees so they can directly assess consumer responses and turn them into tangible commercialization results."

[email protected] Lee Bo-mi Reporter