Would-be entrepreneurs are being invited to enter a national Startathon competition to show off their work as part of Korea’s efforts to identify promising new start-ups.

The competition, organized by the Science Ministry-affiliated Next Generation Convergence Contents Industry Association, will offer a first prize of 5 million won ($4320), with a second prize of 2 million won and three third prizes of 1 million won each.

Teams should compete in one of four preliminary rounds to get to the final. They will each look at a different application of ICT, with lifestyle, such as food and fashion in Seoul, media in Busan, technology such as energy and semiconductors in Daejeon, and tourism, health and smart factory technology in Gwangju.

The preliminary rounds will be held on consecutive weekends, from July 9-10 in Seoul, and move on to Busan, Daejeon and finally Gwangju.

The final round will be held at the Gyeonggi Center for Creative Economy and Innovation on Aug. 19 and 20.

The competition is open to anyone looking to create a product or service using ICT.

Registration closes June 26 and can be made via www.ncia.kr/starthon.

For inquiries, contact kyuyun@ncia.kr or (02) 558-5180.

(paulkerry@heraldcorp.com)