Gangwon Province Launches ₩44.3B Venture Fund to Support Regional Startup Growth
Gangwon Province has launched the Gangwon Strategic Industry Venture Fund with a budget of KRW 44.3 billion to support the growth of regional startups, focusing on seven key industries including semiconductors and biohealth. The investment phase will begin in March 2026, following an agreement ceremony attended by local officials and fund managers. This initiative builds on a previous KRW 105.6 billion regional fund established in September 2025, aiming to drive innovation outside of Seoul.
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Gangwon Province has officially launched its Gangwon Strategic Industry Venture Fund with KRW 44.3 billion in sub-funds, starting the investment phase in March 2026. An investment agreement ceremony took place on January 8, attended by local officials and fund management representatives.
The fund targets seven designated future industries: semiconductors, biohealth, hydrogen energy, future mobility, food tech, defense, and climate technology. Four operators are involved: Gangwon Center for Creative Economy and Innovation, Warf Investment-JKP Partners Consortium, Pathfinder H, and Kangwon National University Technology Holdings-Trigger Investment Partners Consortium.
The initiative follows the creation of a KRW 105.6 billion regional mother fund in September 2025, supported by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and local municipalities. The success of this model will be measured by its ability to translate policy into real capital for startups, aiming to foster innovation outside of Seoul.
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