-  Opens application process for the second round of ‘101 Startup Korea’, a mentor-driven startup accelerator program, with deadline set for March 24
-  Offers top-notch mentorship and networking opportunities with high-profile investors, while providing seven months of free office space 
-  Held Demo Day on the 27th to give teams that participated in the first round of ‘101 Startup Korea’ opportunities to pitch their business ideas to venture capitalists and angel investors

Seoul, Korea, February 28, 2014—SK Planet has begun recruiting venture entrepreneurs to participate in the second round of ‘101 Startup Korea’, a mentor-driven startup accelerator program dedicated to accelerating startup growth and supporting startups attract value-added funding by providing mentoring and networking opportunities. The application deadline is set for March 24, 2014.

• The name 101 was derived from U.S. Route 101, a north–south U.S. highway that runs through the side of the Silicon Valley, to represent its focus on supporting startups to build a solid foundation for success.   

SK Planet’s six-month accelerator program offers top-notch mentorship and networking opportunities with angel investors and venture capitalists, along with seven months of free office space. Moreover, participants will have access to 1,500 mobile devices at Open Innovation Center to test their services, while receiving legal support that includes patent and contract review.

‘101 Startup Korea’ boasts having 70 renowned experts as mentors. During the first round of 101 Startup Korea held in September last year, Jinwoo So, SK Planet’s CEO and Jung Gi-hyeon, SK Planet’s Chief Product Office led the mentoring program. Other stellar line-up of mentors included Lee Taek-kyung, CEO of Primer, Jang Byung-gyu, CEO of BonAngels, Ryu Jung-hee, founder of Olaworks and Lee Hee-woo, CEO of IDG Ventures Korea.

During the second round, a team of SK Planet’s industry experts across diverse fields will provide immersive mentoring, taking a close look at each service and imparting practical advice and tips on how to improve them.

A startup or team that consist no less than two people can apply through the SK Planet’s Open Innovation Center website (http://oic.skplanet.com). Ten teams will be selected by the end of March based on a document screening and interview.

Meanwhile, SK Planet hosted Demo Day on the 27th at Seoul National University, giving teams that participated in the first round of ‘101 Startup Korea’ opportunities to present their services and pitch their business ideas to investors. Along with venture capitalists and angel investors, student startup communities also took part in the event to exchange business ideas and network with industry insiders.  

“SK Planet’s 101 Startup Korea, aimed at accelerating startup success, has been providing an environment where outstanding startups can solely focus on their core business,” said Jang Dong-hyun, SK Planet’s Chief Operations Officer. “Going forward, we will continue to share our capacity and knowhow with startups, while promoting a healthy startup ecosystem in the ICT sector.”