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CITYPRENEURS?
Since 2017
CITY + ENTREPRENEURS
CITYPRENEURS 2025 Ulsan is looking for startups with Impact & UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
CITYPRENEURS is the only UN agency-led platform that empowers young entrepreneurs to foster profitable solutions addressing urban challenges within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) agenda.
CITYPRENEURS Since 2017
87
Countries Participated
1199
Startups Participated
335
Startups Accelerated
$582M
Total Investment
As of 2025.03
JOIN OUR PROGRAM
Join the CITYPRENEURS for Korean and global startups driving social impact and urban innovation
1
Select a Track
Review the eligibility criteria for the Seed and Growth tracks, then choose your track.
2
Apply
Click the button below to complete and submit your application.
3
Connect
Startups selected as the final 20 teams will join the global Citypreneurs community, which includes over 300 startups.
Benefits
All Teams
Winning Teams (Top 3 out of 20)
01 Impact Workshops
Workshops and seminars to enhance and empower business growth and social impact for startups.
02 Travel Subsidy
Travel Subsidy (transportation & accommodations) for Demo Day participation *Airfare for teams coming from abroad.
🏆 Global Networking
The opportunity to network with stakeholders from various industries, global VCs, UN agencies, government representatives, and the global startup ecosystem.
🏆 Global Bootcamp
One of the final winning teams will have the opportunity to participate in an on-site bootcamp in Africa this November 2025.
🏆 Impact Showcase
At the WISE Conference, participants will have the opportunity to pitch their ideas to global investors through a showcase.
🏆 Investment Review
Opportunities for investment consideration from over 7 global VCs.
Track
20 Startups will be selected and divided into two tracks based on their funding status.
① Seed Track
This track is for aspiring entrepreneurs and companies at or below the pre-seed stage with funding amounts of $300k or less.
② Growth Track
This track is for Seed-stage companies with funding amounts of $500k or more, up to Series A companies with funding amounts of $15M or less.
* Important Notice
-
If you're unsure which track to apply for, please contact us via WhatsApp at 'CITYPRENEURS HQ' or through the KakaoTalk channel '씨티프레너스'
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If your application does not meet the criteria through the internal screening process, the track you applied for may be changed at our discretion.
Now Open!
Application Period
March 19 - April 17, 2025
(- 15:00 KST)
Announcement
April 25, 2025
Impact
Workshops
April 30 - June 12
(*Online Program)
Demo Day
June 25 (*UNIST, Ulsan)
WISE Conference
June 27 (*COEX, Seoul)
Timeline
① Impact Workshops
Date: From Tuesday 30 April 2025 to Thursday 12 June 2025
Sessions: Total of 6 sessions, 120 minutes per session (Online training)
6 Impact Workshops designed to provide startups with hands-on knowledge and skills essential for scaling their businesses and integrating sustainability principles.
Session 1 : Tuesday 30 April, 2025 / Sustainable Urban Innovation and Government
Session 2 : Thursday 15 May, 2025 / Building Sustainable Startup with the SDGs
Session 3 : Thursday 22 May, 2025 / Strengthening Business Competitiveness with ESG
Session 4 : Thursday 29 May, 2025 / Scaling Startups and Global Market Expansion
Session 5 : Thursday 5 June, 2025 / Startup Investment and Pitching Strategies
Session 6 : Thursday 12 June, 2025 / Global Networking and Partnership
All 6 workshops will be held from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM (KST).
While attendance at all workshops is not mandatory, participation points will be considered in the selection of the final winning team.
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② Demo Day
Date & Time : June 24, 2025 (Tue) 13:00 - 18:00 (TBD)
Venue : Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan, Republic of Korea
The Demoday will serve as a key opportunity for participating startups to present their business models, innovations to a panel of investors, partners, and industry leaders.
③ WISE Conference (Networking Event)
Date & Time : June 27, 2025 (Fri) 10:00 - 15:00
Venue : COEX, Seoul, Republic of Korea
WISE Conference will bring together stakeholders from across industries, Global VC,
UN agencies, government, and the global startup ecosystem.
