On the afternoon of the 23rd, the Small Business Market Promotion Agency (SBA) held a signing ceremony in Daejeon, formalizing a memorandum of understanding with 15 regional universities under the initiative dubbed 'Local Content Focused University for 2026.' This agreement aims to connect unique regional assets with innovative business models, combining specialized educational programs with local industries to assist young people in settling in their communities and invigorating the local economy.

The 15 universities involved, selected through a competitive process, include notable institutions from across South Korea, such as Catholic Kwandong University and Kyung Hee University, among others. The 'Local Content Focused University' project is promoted by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Small Business Market Promotion Agency, focusing on nurturing aspiring entrepreneurs equipped with the intent to solve local issues and capable of developing local content. After starting with 7 institutions in 2023 and expanding to 14 in the previous year, the program now encompasses 15 universities, with plans for even more systematic support going forward.

As part of the agreement, the SBA and these universities intend to officially launch collaboration towards creating a local entrepreneurial ecosystem and fostering young entrepreneurs. The SBA plans to enhance regional connections through collaborative programs tied to traditional markets and areas at risk of depopulation. Additionally, the universities will introduce local entrepreneurship-related curricula, including micro-degree programs and practical hands-on coursework in entrepreneurship and product development, thus fostering a comprehensive learning environment for students to engage actively in local business initiatives.