Coworking Spaces in Seoul

Why rent a whole office for your business when you can work from a co-working space? Free coworking spaces in Seoul have sprung up recently, with services ranging from; free-to-use, moderately priced offices to premium-priced coworking spaces. In addition to bootstrapping startup teams, there are free coworking spaces in Seoul for you to get your stuff done.

Seoul is edging to be the most preferred global startup destination in Asia. Therefore coworking spaces in Seoul have become necessary with startup ecosystems in Israel, the USA, London, Germany, and the rest.

What is more?

Working in coworking spaces allows you to meet other like-minded entrepreneurs. In addition, the environment alone can foster your creativity. However, coworking spaces cost money. Therefore, I have researched programs that offer FREE coworking spaces once you are accepted. Many of these coworking spaces I have listed below can be used even if you are not a part of their program. You might need to register, but that is it.

No need to stress about office rent.

Here are the top 5 free coworking spaces in Seoul for Startups in Korea

GOOGLE’S Space for Startups

‘Google for Startups Campus’ is one of the Google Spaces in the Google Campus family worldwide. Therefore Seoul has an established center, which means Google recognizes the potential for entrepreneurship growth in Seoul. Furthermore, Google’s Space for Startups is a community coworking space where like-minded entrepreneurs and innovators can…

• collaborate
• Share ideas
• support each other
• create a valuable impact
• have access to free wifi
• access to low-priced coffee at their Campus Cafe
• comfortable desks and event spaces
• Meet other founders and entrepreneurs to boost your business opportunities.

Campus Seoul also offers a startup residency program for Googlers and early-stage startups, Campus Meetup, and mentoring programs. Other global campuses are in Warsaw, London, Sao Paulo, Madrid, Tel Aviv, and Berlin, offering the same services.

They offer free Wifi and a chance to meet many fellow founders at the Campus Cafe. It is the perfect place to get things done, take a break, or collaborate with like-minded people.

Register to become a member. It is easy to become a member, and members will have access to the meeting rooms and event spaces if they pre-register and get approval. The best part is that it is located very close to COEX mall, where you can eat and see some of the events happening at their exhibition halls. In addition, members can reserve lecture rooms and even the main event room, which can hold up to 150 people. If the space is available, you can book the space. As long as the event helps support Korean startups, you can get that space for your event, meetup, workshop, etc.

Location: B2 Autoway Tower, 417 Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

SEOUL GLOBAL CENTER

Seoul Global Center is a full-government-run support center that assists foreign residents in Seoul with various services, including visas, immigration issues, employment, language training, business consultancy, and counseling. Furthermore, they offer incubation services for early-stage and most promising foreign startups by providing free office space in the business centers at Jongno and Gangnam. In addition, selected startup teams usually spend 6-months in the program. There they can receive coaching, 1:1 mentoring, and special lectures. What is great about the Seoul Global Center is that it is in the middle of the Gangnam District.

Seoul Global Business Center Free Incubation

The Seoul Metropolitan Government and Seoul Business Agency (SBA) offer free in-house incubation offices to prospective foreign entrepreneurs and to foreign residents with less than 1 year of startup experience to help foreign residents’ startups and stabilize their business activities. Applications are usually until the end of May. Benefits include free office space, internet, business coaching, mentoring, and opportunities to participate in corporate networking events with local and foreign companies.

The Seoul Global Center is a place to realize your startup dreams.

HONGHAP VALLEY

If you are an aspiring startup or early-stage start team looking to hang out in Seoul’s hippiest and most vibrant neighborhood, look no further than HonHap Valley. HongHap is a combination of ‘Hongdae’ and ‘Hapjeong,’ which are some of the most lively districts in Seoul where young people hang out. Therefore, Honghap Valley is a creative hub for young innovators and entrepreneurs to connect and breathe life into their business ideas.

The Center also caters to other services like startup consultancy, event space, cafe, Fast wifi, startup matching, networking, and workshops.

It is open from 9 am-9 pm on weekdays for anyone to use, regardless of nationality or status. Furthermore, it is Free to use, but all you need to do is complete an online registration form, and you are good to go.

Follow this page to become a member of Honghap Valley.

Location: 1F. ANT Bldg, 197-10, Donggyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Korea, easily accessible by the Seoul Subway Line 2.

SEOUL STARTUP HUB

The Seoul Startup Hub is a spacious, ultramodern facility located in the heart of Seoul. Furthermore, the 10-floor tower can boast a 234-seat co-working space. There are incubating floors for over 300 startups, audiovisual equipment, a large seminar and auditorium, and a rooftop garden. Therefore it is by far the largest coworking space for startups in Korea. They hold a lot of meetups and workshops at the Seoul Startup Hub; it is a great place to learn more about the Korean startup ecosystem.

Seoul Startup Hub exists to be the place for entrepreneurs, startups, investors, and innovators to connect and create global businesses. Therefore, take advantage of and access this hub to grow your startup. The only issue might be the location, as it is a 5-10 minute walk from Gongdeok Station. Therefore it is even further than Seoul Global Startup Center.

Location: 21 Baekbeom-ro 31-gil, Mapo-gu or by Subway Line 5/6 Gongdeok Station Exit 2.

Startup Branch at COEX

KITA opened Startup Branch, which is located at COEX. It provides a platform for Korean startups to scale up and go global. Entrepreneurs in Korea, VCs, incubators, and accelerators can use the branch to network and share ideas. In addition, the Startup Branch has offices and a stage for events and pitches. They aim to offer a place for entrepreneurs in Korea to have the freedom to be creative because KITA is not tied to Korean government aid like agencies such as the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion.

The Startup Branch focuses on helping startups in Korea scale up by providing mentoring services and helping with collaboration with global companies. Therefore, it is an open platform for startups in Korea to expand their business and connect with corporations in Korea and globally.