- The new Software Maestro training center in Mapo held its opening ceremony.
- Over the past 15 years (2010–2024), the program has achieved a 91.3% employment and entrepreneurship rate and has fostered the creation of 149 startups, including The Pinkfong Company.
On April 3, the Ministry of Science and ICT (Minister: Yoo Sang-im, hereafter referred to as MSIT) held the opening ceremony for the new Software Maestro training center in Mapo. The event was attended by approximately 130 participants, including the 2nd Vice Minister Kang Do-hyun of MSIT, National Assembly Member Cho Jung-hoon (representing Mapo-gap), and Park Choong-kwon, a member of the National Assembly’s Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee, as well as program alumni who have founded startups and newly admitted trainees from the 16th cohort.
Software Maestro is a flagship developer training program that cultivates top-tier talent in artificial intelligence (AI) and software development through intensive mentoring by leading experts, provision of ICT equipment and scholarships, and hands-on opportunities for project planning and development. The program is led by the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), administered by the Institute of Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation (IITP), and implemented by the Federation of Korean Information Industries (FKII). Since its launch in 2010, the program has produced a total of 2,008 highly skilled professionals and achieved an impressive combined employment and entrepreneurship rate of 91.3%.
The program has fostered youth entrepreneurship by producing 149 startups founded by graduates. Notable examples include:
The Pinkfong Company (1st cohort), famous for its viral “Baby Shark Dance
Elice, Inc. (1st cohort), an AI-focused online education platform provider
Delight Room (2nd cohort), developer of Alarmy, the world’s top-ranked alarm app
Beginning this year, the training center has been relocated from Seolleung to Mapo to accommodate expanded facilities. This move is designed to enhance both the development environment and rest areas for trainees, creating a more supportive space for innovation and learning. Thanks to its location near startup support institutions and major universities, the new Software Maestro training center is expected to serve as a hub for the AI and software employment and entrepreneurship ecosystem. The center aims to further amplify the impact of the Software Maestro program as a focal point for innovation in these fields.
Following the ceremony, Vice Minister Kang hosted a roundtable discussion with Software Maestro graduates who are now entrepreneurs or employed professionals. Participants shared their experiences with job-seeking or launching startups, highlighting the challenges facing young professionals today. Discussions also covered strategies for nurturing digital talent in the AI era. Attendees included notable alumni such as Kim Soo-in (founder of Elice) and Park Jung-hyun (CEO of Bebridge), along with mentors, employed graduates, aspiring entrepreneurs, and others who shared success stories from their involvement in the program.
In his welcoming speech at the ceremony, Vice Minister Kang highlighted the critical need for talent capable of leveraging AI and software technologies to create diverse, practical services for everyday life. He also expressed his hope that the new Mapo training center would cultivate developers who can excel on a global stage, reaffirming the government’s unwavering commitment to supporting such initiatives.
For further information, please contact the Public Relations Division (Phone: +82-44-202-4034, E-mail: msitmedia@korea.kr) of the Ministry of Science and ICT.
※ Please refer to the attached PDF.