Press

A performance sharing session on urban regeneration startups from the perspective of the 50-60 generation was held. On November 29th, the 'Jump-Up 5060' performance sharing session, a mid-career urban regeneration startup support project, was held, hosted by the Korea Land & Housing Organization (LH) and organized by the Seoul 50+ Foundation. The 'Jump-Up 5060' mid-career urban regeneration startup support project is an initiative by the Korea Land & Housing Organization and Seoul 50+ Foundation that discovers and supports mid-career individuals (ages 50-64) preparing for urban regeneration startups based on their experience and wisdom, contributing to community revitalization and urban regeneration ecosystem activation. Underdogs, a practical startup education specialist, partners as a co-operator providing startup education and coaching. This performance sharing session was designed to move away from conventional competitive demo days and instead share growth processes of aspiring regional innovation entrepreneurs while celebrating newly started careers. The event was attended by approximately 100 participants, including executives from the Korea Land & Housing Organization, Seoul 50+ Foundation, Underdogs, startup support agencies, startups, and prospective entrepreneurs, featuring performance sharing and networking programs. A total of 25 finalist teams shared their achievements, divided into 3 major groups—space, people, and services—based on their respective business items. They presented business ideas including small wedding town formation and consulting, hobby-sharing cars with experts, consulting for prospective food service entrepreneurs, community-based pet support platforms, and bookstores with senior community spaces. Cho Sang-rae, CEO of Underdogs, who conducted startup education lectures and coaching, said, "Existing startup education is focused on youth, with quite a fast pace, raising concerns about whether mid-career entrepreneurs could properly digest the content. However, observing their passion for what they want to do, serious attitudes toward education, and actual execution skills up close, the coaches themselves were inspired and had time to learn." Officials from the Korea Land & Housing Organization and Seoul 50+ Foundation stated, "We plan to actively encourage mid-career entrepreneurship going forward so that only mid-career individuals equipped with experience and wisdom can solve regional problems and continue and develop their businesses as regional innovation entrepreneurs."