Coworking Spaces in Seoul
Why rent a whole office for your business when you can work from a co-working space? Free coworking spaces in Seoul have sprung up recently, with services ranging from; absolutely free to use, moderately priced offices to premium-priced coworking spaces. In addition to bootstrapping startup teams, there are free coworking spaces in Seoul for you to get your stuff done. The COVID-19 situation has really put pressure on startups to save money as much as possible. Knowing some of the best free coworking spaces in Seoul is crucial for any entrepreneur or freelancer in Korea.
Seoul is edging to be the most preferred global startup destination in Asia. Therefore coworking spaces in Seoul have become a necessity as it was with startup ecosystems in Israel, the USA, London, Germany, and the rest.
What is more?
Working in coworking spaces allows you to meet other like-minded entrepreneurs. In addition, the environment alone can foster your creativity. However, coworking spaces cost money. Therefore, I have researched programs that offer FREE coworking spaces once you are accepted. Many of these coworking spaces I have listed below can be used even if you are not a part of their program. You might need to register but that is it.
No need to stress about office rent.
Here are the top 5 free coworking spaces in Seoul for Startups in Korea
SEOUL GLOBAL STARTUP CENTER
Launched in 2016, the Seoul Global Startup Center has grown rapidly to become a center of attraction for foreign-owned startups in Seoul. Furthermore, the Seoul GSC is a startup incubation center that was established to support foreign entrepreneurs. It was founded by the Seoul Metropolitan City Government but operated by N15 Hardware accelerator. If you are a foreigner looking to do a startup in Korea. The program offered by the Seoul Global Startup Center is the best way to get a free coworking space.
The center provides support for early-stage startups in their 1-year incubator program, including Free office space, Seed Funding, Mentorship, and skills training. In addition, apart from that, they offer separate public coworking spaces for prospective foreigners who are interested in starting up in Seoul. You need to register to gain Access membership in the space. It is open to anyone and you can participate in the periodic startup lectures and monthly networking opportunities. They offer free high-speed WiFi and coffee. In addition, meeting rooms can be booked for meetings.
Foreign entrepreneurs that are interested in entering the Korean market need to apply for the Seoul Global Startup Center Incubator program. They will teach startups about setting up their business, legal advice, accounting advice, and key networks/partnerships through their mentorship program. Furthermore, startups will be near other foreign startups in Korea going through the same process.
Global Enternship
The Global Enternship (Entrepreneur + Internship) is a support program from the Seoul Global Startup Center. It offers an opportunity to match talented individuals with global startups. Foreign residents in Korea, Foreign University students, Korean University students, Seoul GSC 4th Batch Residents, a Graduate startup with a Foreign Representative (co-representative are eligible to apply. While as an Entern, you will get up to 1.6 million won before tax. The Enternship will last for two months from July 1 – August 29th.
One of the only negatives about the Seoul Global Startup Center is its location. The location might be far from Gangnam but it is close to Itaewon and just above Apgujeong (Across Han River).
Become a member of the Seoul Global Startup Center by registering here SeoulGSC coworking space.
Location: 3F, Electronic World Building, Hangangro 3-ga, 1-1 Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea 04370
The center is currently being remodeled and will open back up at some time in 2022.
GOOGLE’S Space for Startups
‘Google for Startups Campus’ is one of the Google Spaces in the Google Campus family worldwide. Therefore with Seoul having an established center, it means Google recognizes the potential of entrepreneurship growth in Seoul. Furthermore, Google’s Space for Startups is a community coworking space where like-minded entrepreneurs and innovators can…
- collaborate
- Share ideas
- support each other
- create a valuable impact
- have access to free wifi
- access to low-priced coffee at their Campus Cafe
- comfortable desks and event spaces
- meet other founders and entrepreneurs to boost your business opportunities.
Campus Seoul also offers a startup residency program for Googlers and early-stage startups, Campus Meetup programs, and mentoring programs. Other global campuses are located in Warsaw, London, Sao Paulo, Madrid, Tel Aviv, and Berlin, and they offer the same services.
They offer free Wifi and a chance to meet many fellow founders at the Campus Cafe. It is the perfect place to get things done, take a break, or collaborate with like-minded people.
Register to become a member. It is easy to become a member and members will have access to the meeting rooms and event spaces if they pre-register and get approval. The best part is that it is located very close to COEX mall where you can go to eat and see some of the events happening at their exhibition halls. In addition, members can reserve lecture rooms and even the main event room which can hold up to 150 people. If if the space is available, you can book the space. As long as the event helps support Korean startups, you will be able to get that space for your event, meetup, workshop, etc.
Location: B2 Autoway Tower, 417 Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
SEOUL GLOBAL CENTER
Seoul Global Center is a full-government run support center that assists foreign residents in Seoul with various services including visa, immigration issues, employment, language training, business consultancy, counseling, among others. Furthermore, they offer incubation services for early-stage and most promising foreign startups by providing free office space in the business centers at Jongno and Gangnam. In addition, selected startup teams usually spend 6-months in the program. There they can receive coaching, 1:1 mentoring, and special lectures. What is great about the Seoul Global Center is that it is in the middle of the Gangnam District.
Seoul Global Business Center Free Incubation
The Seoul Metropolitan Government and Seoul Business Agency (SBA) offer free in-house incubation offices to prospective foreign entrepreneurs and to foreign residents with less than 1 year of startup experience to help foreign residents’ startups and stabilize their business activities. Applications are usually until the end of May. Benefits include free office space, internet, business coaching, mentoring, and opportunities to participate in corporate networking events with local and foreign companies.
The Seoul Global Center is a place to make your startup dreams a reality.
Check this page for the announcements of the incubation programs.
HONGHAP VALLEY
If you are an aspiring startup or early-stage start team looking to hang out in the most hippy and vibrant neighborhood in Seoul, look no further than HonHap Valley. HongHap is a combination of ‘Hongdae’ and ‘Hapjeong’, which are some of the most lively districts in Seoul where young people hang out. Therefore, Honghap Valley is a creative hub for young innovators and entrepreneurs to connect and breathe life into their business ideas.
The Center also caters to other services like startup consultancy, event space, cafe, Fast wifi, startup matching, networking, and workshops.
It is open from 9 am-9 pm on weekdays for anyone to use, regardless of your nationality or status. Furthermore, it is Free to use but all you need to do is complete an online registration form and you are good to go.
Follow this page to become a member of Honghap Valley.
Location: 1F. ANT Bldg, 197-10, Donggyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Korea and it is easily accessible by the Seoul Subway Line 2.
SEOUL STARTUP HUB
The Seoul Startup Hub is a spacious, ultramodern facility located in the heart of Seoul. Furthermore, the 10-floor edifice can boast of a 234 seat co-working space. There are incubating floors for over 300 startups, audiovisual equipment, a large seminar and auditoriums, and a roof-top garden. Therefore it is by far the largest coworking space for startups in Korea. They hold a lot of meetups and workshops at the Seoul Startup Hub and it is a great place to learn more about the Korean startup ecosystem.
Seoul Startup Hub exists to be the place for entrepreneurs, startups, investors, and innovators to connect and create global businesses. Therefore, take advantage of and access this hub to grow your startup. The only issue might be the location as it is a 5-10 minute walk from Gongdeok Station. Therefore it is even further than Seoul Global Startup Center.
Location: 21 Baekbeom-ro 31-gil, Mapo-gu or by Subway Line 5/6 Gongdeok Station Exit 2.
Find out more information about the Hub here: Seoul Startup Hub.
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