Celebrating the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of young innovators, the 2025 Youth Bizcool Festival has been held from Monday, October 27 to Wednesday, October 29 at KINTEX in Ilsan, Goyang City, Gyeonggi Province, bringing together more than 20,000 students, educators, and entrepreneurship mentors from across Korea.
 
Hosted by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS, Minister Han Seong-sook), the three-day festival features exhibitions, lectures, and creative competitions designed to inspire Korea’s next generation of entrepreneurs.
 
Since its launch in 2007, the Youth Bizcool Festival has grown into Korea’s largest youth entrepreneurship event, serving as a platform to share the achievements of the Bizcool program with schools, parents, and the general public, while promoting an entrepreneurial culture that values creativity and challenge. Bizcool is a compound of Business + School, meaning “learning business in school.” The programs, launched in 2002, provides entrepreneurship education and startup simulation experiences to nurture creatively minded, convergence-oriented young talents.
 
This year’s festival is held under the theme “Value in Youth,” emphasizing the creativity and potential of young people. The event fosters exchange and networking among Bizcool students, senior entrepreneurs, and entrepreneurship support organizations, with participation from about 20,000 students representing 82 schools nationwide.
 
On the first day, lectures by experts in fields of interest to youth were followed by a talk concert featuring Bizcool graduates and Gen Z founders, who shared their startup experiences and insights.
 
On the second day, the Bizcool Camp Final Evaluation showcased prototype crowdfunding and IR presentations by participating teams. The opening ceremony featured the “Pionee’s VR Drawing” performance, followed by awards presentations, special lectures, and celebratory performances. Notably, popular science communicator Orbit (궤도) gave a keynote lecture; K-Tigers performed a global Taekwondo show; and the project group JAESSBEE presented a musical finale that drew enthusiastic attention.
 
During the opening ceremony, Vice Minister Roh Yong-seok remarked:
“The free imagination and fearless spirit of youth are the seeds of innovation. The Ministry will continue to provide full support through diverse Bizcool programs so that young people can grow into future entrepreneurs.”
 
Vice Minister Roh also presented Ministerial Commendations to those who have contributed to youth entrepreneurship education. Among the awardees were Han Kyu-cheon and Kim Jin-gu, members of the Youth Entrepreneurship Textbook Editorial Board; 13 outstanding startup education teachers; five excellent students; and Kong Myung-hyun, principal of Samgoe High School – the first school to introduce an entrepreneurship curriculum.
 
On the final day, the festival will feature “Bizcool Showcase,” where students showcase their creativity and talents. Awards will be presented to outstanding participants, booths, and programs.
 
Throughout the festival, a variety of exhibitions and experience zones will be open to visitors, including:
 - School Pavilion: Showcasing Bizcool achievements from the past year
 - Startup Square: Interaction and experience with innovative startups
 - Makers Zone: Hands-on prototype creation space
 - Alumni Village: Introducing successful Bizcool graduates and offering career and entrepreneurship insights
 - Exciting Zone: Experience zone for AI, immersive media, and Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies
 - Entrepreneurship Zone: Interactive diagnostics and programs to help visitors better understand entrepreneurial competencies  

Through these diverse programs, the 2025 Youth Bizcool Festival aims to inspire Korea’s next generation of innovators and strengthen youth entrepreneurship as a foundation for future growth.
 

For more news and updates on Korea’s SME and startup policies, follow the Ministry’s official LinkedIn page: The Ministry of SMEs and Startups, 대한민국 중소벤처기업부