As a one-stop support organization for international residents in Seoul, the Seoul Global Center has been providing a range of services including counseling on daily living, business consultation and cultural and educational programs.

There are 400,000 foreign nationals living in Seoul and an increasing number want to start their own business or are seeking opportunities with local companies.

Catering to the needs of foreign entrepreneurs, its Biz Lounge recently opened on the sixth floor of the Seoul Global Center building.

The Biz Lounge can be summed up in one word: coworking. The flexible and collaborative workspace serves as a platform for like-minded start-ups, small businesses and corporate workgroups to connect and share information.

The lounge also features fully furnished incubation offices for startups with high-growth potential at no cost, in order to help people take their business to the next level by providing a full range of support activities including valuable mentorship and educational programs in key areas such as patents, incorporation, taxation and law.

The Biz Lounge is free to use for any entrepreneur with a business idea or early-stage businesses looking for resources or assistance. It is open between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. from Monday to Friday.

A connected work space is available for registered users. Membership is completely free online and a registered member can use the area for business meetings, information sessions or corporate presentations for investors by reserving the space in advance.

From these regular members, special member businesses with the greatest potential will be selected after screening and receive different packages that suit their needs, as well as exclusive benefits including a tailored support service that can help foster the growth of the business. They will also be given priority when applying for the Seoul Global Center’s incubation offices.

To create a nurturing environment, the Biz Lounge will host business-related programs such as networking and business engagement events, conferences and seminars to help increase foreign entrepreneurs’ chances of success.

It will also develop links and collaborate with both local and international SMEs and start-ups.

For more information on the Biz Lounge or to reserve a spot in the coworking space as a member, visit our website http://global.seoul.go.kr or contact us at (02) 2075-4180.

By Michelle Kang

Michelle Kang works for the Seoul Global Center. She can be reached at michykang@gmail.com. ― Ed.