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Starbucks expands ‘startup cafe’ service in Korea

March 29, 2016

Choi Yang-hee, minister of science, ICT and future planning, delivers a lecture on startups for young adults at a Starbucks cafe on March 29. (Yonhap)

SEOUL (Yonhap) — Starbucks Korea opened three more “startup” cafes aimed at helping foster the launch of creative businesses by young adults on Tuesday in partnership with the government.

The Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning and the Presidential Committee on the Young Generation have reached out to the local arm of the global coffee chain in a bid to promote startups.

Starbucks Korea opened the first cafe of its kind last year in the bustling streets of Daehangno in northern Seoul.

It serves as a place for visitors to share experiences and ideas on venturing into fresh businesses. Related lectures are held on a regular basis.

Starbucks launched three similar shops in Sinchon and near Konkuk University and Kwangwoon University, all of which are areas popular in Seoul as youth hangouts.

The ministry described it as “Startup Cafe 2015 Season 2.”

Minister Choi Yang-hee delivered a special lecture to mark the occasion.

“Study used to guarantee success. But society is transforming itself into the one in which challenge-oriented people are offered more and bigger opportunities,” he said.

He called for “innovative thinking and challenging spirit based on a paradigm shift,” rather than “gradual improvement.”