The K-Food Academy and Government Initiatives to Nurture 100 Youth-led Food Enterprises Annually

Sejong, 17 April 2026 — The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) held an opening ceremony for the first cohort of the “K-Food Start-up Academy” on 16 April at the National Food Cluster in Iksan, North Jeolla Province, marking the official commencement of its operations.  

Through on-site consultations and expert discussions, the Ministry has explored various measures to enable young aspiring entrepreneurs to launch their own businesses with confidence and build practical entrepreneurial capabilities. As a cornerstone, it has established and launched the “K-Food Start-up Academy.”  

Minister Song Miryung of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs stated, “While starting a business is not easy, the act of taking on the challenge itself holds immense value.” Minister Song encouraged the first cohort of students to “develop K-Food that captures the palates of people worldwide through creative ideas,” adding, “Your entrepreneurial endeavours will shape the future of the Republic of Korea and become a driving force that moves the world.”  

Recruitment for the academy’s first intake took place from 6 February to 9 March, with a total of 386 teams applying for admission. Applicant teams delivered in-person presentations on their business proposals, which the Ministry evaluated, based on (a) creativity, (b) growth potential, and (c) prospects for entering global markets. Following this rigorous process, a total of 50 teams were ultimately selected. The final competition rate stood at 7.7 to 1, reflecting the fervent interest in food-sector entrepreneurship among young people.  

The selected teams will receive comprehensive year-long support, covering the entire start-up lifecycle from initial concept development to product development, marketing, and market entry. Moving beyond theoretical instruction, the programme offers hands-on opportunities for prototype production and real-world sales experience. This support serves as a practical pathway for participants to start their own businesses.   

In addition to the academy, the Ministry will foster another 50 teams through initiatives, such as the development of regional food convergence clusters and youth start-up camps. The aim is to ensure that promising young individuals can start their businesses with confidence. From this year onwards, the Ministry plans to cultivate 100 youth-led food enterprises annually, thereby positioning them as key drivers for the future of the K-food industry.