The Seoul Seongbuk-gu One-Person Creative Enterprise Support Center (Director Choi Seung-cheol, hereafter referred to as the Center) is a one-person startup support institution established in July 2011 through the collaboration of the Seongbuk-gu Office and the Seongbuk-gu Chamber of Commerce. As of October 2025, 27 startup company representatives have moved in, attracting companies in the creative, cultural, and information and communications sectors to create youth jobs and revitalize the local economy.

From 2011 to 2024, the Center was selected as the best center 13 times and achieved recognition as an excellent institution by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, receiving ministerial awards. Over the past 14 years, it has achieved a total of 384 resident members, 361 graduate members, 175 new startups, 359 job creations, and sales of KRW 56.9 billion.


The Center collaborates with universities and related institutions in Seongbuk-gu to provide practical services needed at the startup stage, such as expert mentoring and funding guidance. It also cooperates with Seongbuk-gu (selection and management of residents), SH Seoul Housing & Communities Corporation (construction and maintenance of residential buildings), and the Seoul Regional Office of SMEs and Startups (providing startup-related linkage programs) in the 'Challenge Residence' project, supporting work and residential spaces for one-person entrepreneurs. This is the first 'mixed-use public housing' led by local government, pioneering government policy. The Center introduces major startups growing alongside it.

Seed Cosmetic Co., Ltd. researching plant efficacy based on data in cooperation with local farms

Seed Cosmetic (CEO Lee Ye-won) is a startup established in December 2024, a cosmetics company that connects agricultural-based raw material cultivation, product production, and online distribution. It sells products such as Xanthium serum, cream, and mask packs, using extracts from the commonly seen plant Xanthium as the main ingredient, pursuing ESG management by coexisting with farms and utilizing plant resources. Recently, products with natural anti-inflammatory soothing effects have gained popularity among consumers with sensitive skin.


CEO Lee Ye-won also serves as the CEO of the agricultural food processing company 'Nongga Meokja' and actively conducts startup consulting through coaching and mentoring activities in government startup support projects. She founded Seed Cosmetic as a 'cosmetics brand that saves rural areas' through continuous exchanges with local farms, aiming to grow into a premium cosmetics brand using domestic raw materials by integrating with Nongga Meokja's sales/distribution platform.

Seed Cosmetic is gaining attention as a technology-centered startup in the natural cosmetics market, aiming to become a beauty tech company based on data proving the efficacy of plant bioactive substances. It has scientifically verified the effect of improving skin troubles by quantifying the natural anti-inflammatory soothing active ingredients contained in Xanthium.

Subsequently, it plans to expand into AI-based skin efficacy matching technology by establishing a functional database of domestic plant resources and securing a stable raw material supply chain through raw material cultivation cooperation with local farms. Additionally, it expressed its ambition to lead the scientific and sustainable development of K-beauty through development collaboration with agricultural-based bio-material research institutes.

GT Soft Co., Ltd. analyzing coding vulnerabilities in real-time using AI technology

GT Soft (CEO Son Ho-young) supports digital transformation (DX) in various industrial fields such as education, EPR, and healthcare by utilizing artificial intelligence, cloud, and data technologies. Founded in 2009, it is a small but strong company with a digital transformation portfolio in each industrial field and a strength in establishing systematic work processes based on its experience in large IT projects domestically and internationally.

It has completed patent applications for systems providing AI-based coding services and AI-based program development collaboration coding systems, offering integrated consulting from analysis, planning, development, to maintenance according to the business type of companies. It was selected for the research and development project by the Korea Technology and Information Promotion Agency for SMEs, performing the development task of 'AI-based real-time coding vulnerability and improvement analysis solution,' and is set to officially launch the solution after passing performance indicators.


Recently, it has secured and carried out system construction projects in various industrial fields such as government agencies, educational institutions, broadcasting/telecommunications companies, and medical institutions, including the government's global summit video streaming service, LS Electric's electrical qualification exam management system, the Ministry of Environment's Blue Sky Day video streaming service, Inje University/Sogang University education systems, Korea Water Resources Corporation's water management system, Samsung Seoul Hospital's cancer patient management system, and SBS's big data viewing management system.

Toonmate providing easy 3D background modeling for webtoon artists

Toonmate, founded by CEO Heo Yu-jin, helps webtoon artists draw 3D backgrounds more easily and quickly. With a business model of webtoon background solution service and tool development, it plans to launch an AI-based chatbot supporting all processes of webtoon production in early 2026.


Toonmate has focused on enhancing artists' work efficiency by producing and distributing SketchUp-based 3D background assets and providing artist-customized modification services. Once the AI-based chatbot is launched, it will be able to organically integrate the entire process from background provision to planning, directing, and production of works.

CEO Heo Yu-jin stated, "From individual artists' webtoon creation to corporate projects, we plan to strengthen productivity and expertise with the goal of completing an integrated B2C/B2B workflow for an efficient background production environment."

IT Donga Reporter Lee Moon-kyu (munch@itdonga.com)

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