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Survey on Effectiveness of Entrepreneurship Education: Adults in their 20s and 30s Account for Over Half of 528 Respondents Non-capital Region Startup Locations Show Growth Trend, Confirming Effectiveness of Regional Decline Prevention Programs Convergence of Manufacturing and IT Fields with Other Sectors Identified [Mad Times Reporter Chae Sung-suk] Underdogs, a startup education specialist company (CEO Cho Sang-rae), conducted a survey titled 'Effectiveness of Startup Education as Directly Evaluated by Entrepreneurs' targeting entrepreneurs who completed Underdogs' entrepreneurship education programs. This is the second such survey by Underdogs following 2021, conducted over 7 days from November 22-28, 2022, based on 2022 performance results through online questionnaires. The total number of respondents reached 528, an increase of more than 5 times compared to last year's survey. Participants consisted of 55.3% male and 44.7% female, with age distribution of 20s (47.5%), 30s (31.4%), 40s (14.8%), and 50s and above (5.9%). The survey revealed that startup locations in the capital region (Seoul, Gyeonggi) decreased from 67.8% in 2021 to 54.6%, a decline of approximately 13 percentage points. In contrast, non-capital regions such as Gyeongsang, Jeolla, and Chungcheong, which were below 10% in 2021, showed growth of more than 3 times on average: Gyeongsang (18.4%), Jeolla (9.7%), and Chungcheong (12.1%). Underdogs analyzed this geographic dispersion as evidence that regional decline prevention programs through entrepreneurship are working. Startup sectors were dominated by distribution and manufacturing (including wholesale and retail) at 35.9% and software, information and communication, and IT at 21.4%, accounting for over half. Among eight business areas, 33.9% of responses selected multiple categories. Underdogs analyzed that business convergence is occurring, with distribution, manufacturing, and IT sectors being combined with other fields. Reasons for starting businesses were ranked as: job creation and employment (26.5%), addressing inequality and conflict and strengthening social safety nets (22.7%), improving environmental burden and responding to climate change (21.3%). In 2022, Underdogs graduate companies received a total of 168 certifications: venture and social venture certification (31.6%), pre-social enterprise certification (25.0%), corporate research institute and R&D dedicated department certification (23.8%), social enterprise certification (8.9%), women-owned business certification (5.9%), and others (4.8%). Meanwhile, the ratio of graduates who maintained their startups after education was 63.5%, with the maximum duration being 12 years and the overall average duration being 1.7 years. Job creation per startup team increased slightly to 3 in 2022 compared to 2.5 in the previous year. Additionally, 93% of all respondents answered that 'entrepreneurship is an area that requires education.' Underdogs explained that there is a significant shift from the previous perception of entrepreneurship as reckless venture. As entrepreneurship attempts expand from office workers to university students, entrepreneurship is becoming normalized. This is analyzed as reflecting demand for self-directed lives where people pursue their desired business items through entrepreneurship. Cho Sang-rae, CEO of Underdogs, stated, 'Among survey participants, 93% answered that entrepreneurship education is necessary, and the actual entrepreneurship rate has increased compared to last year.' He added, 'The survey started last year is almost the only research analyzing the entrepreneurship and startup industry, and we plan to conduct surveys regularly going forward to accumulate insights on the entrepreneurship sector.' Reporter Chae Sung-suk Original article: https://www.madtimes.org/news/articleView.html?idxno=15815