Editor’s Note
This article explores a facility designed to support solo entrepreneurs and SMEs by streamlining product development and sample production. By consolidating specialized services, it aims to reduce the time, cost, and complexity typically involved in bringing a product to market.
For solo entrepreneurs or small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the costs associated with product development, let alone producing samples or printed materials for promotion, are not insignificant. Moreover, the process often requires outsourcing to multiple specialized companies, leading to considerable time consumption and significant challenges. We visited a facility that claims to alleviate these very difficulties.
The Seoul Urban Manufacturing Hub, located in Seongsu-dong, Seongdong-gu, is a facility established by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Seoul Business Agency (SBA) to promote entrepreneurship, business growth, and industrial development. It is designed to assist businesses based on the foundational manufacturing industry, offering tailored support specifically to urban small manufacturers in five key sectors: garment sewing, jewelry/accessories, handmade shoes, printing, and machinery/metalworking.
The hub is filled with equipment available for free reservation. Starting from spacious meeting rooms, it houses equipment for creating prototypes or samples—such as 3D printers, jewelry-making tools, and laser welders—as well as large-format printers for producing printed materials and professional photography equipment for product shoots.
Our first stop was the Technology Creation Studio on the 5th floor. Here, one can create prototypes or samples using various equipment, and it even houses a large-format printer, making it possible to print pamphlets or brochures.
While production with common ABS material is possible, the presence of a high-performance 3D printer capable of outputting with carbon material means the results are much more durable, lightweight, and smooth without requiring post-processing, which seems even more convenient.
To use such 3D printers, one needs to know how to handle 3D programs like CAD. Recognizing this demand, CAD classes are scheduled to be offered in the computer room on the 6th floor. Even non-business owners can attend, so those interested might consider learning.
Additionally, a laser welder for processing metals allows for working on jewelry or mechanical metal parts, and a large multifunction device is available for printing brochures or pamphlets, making the facility useful for manufacturing businesses in various fields.
All these facilities can be used entirely for free with a prior reservation made through the ‘Facility Reservation’ section on the Seoul Urban Manufacturing Hub website. However, for the first use, verification procedures such as presenting a business registration certificate with ‘manufacturing’ listed and a small business confirmation certificate are required. Once this initial authentication is completed, users can conveniently use the facilities simply by making reservations.
While the 5th floor is for product development, facilities useful for when a product is already made are located on the 3rd floor. The ‘Digital Content Production Studio’ on the 3rd floor is equipped with the necessary gear for taking product photos essential for promotion. Equipment is prepared in various sizes, from setups large enough for a motorcycle to those suitable for small jewelry items. This studio is also free to use with a reservation, but first-time users must undergo a training session on how to use the equipment.
The Digital Content Production Studio offers professional photography equipment that would be difficult for most companies to own, available in various sizes. With clean backdrops, lighting, cameras, and computers all provided, users only need to bring their own storage device to take the data, which is very convenient. This equipment also provides a function that automatically removes the background from the product as the photo is taken, making product photography even easier.
Equipment ranges from setups suitable for shooting small accessories like rings to large ones that can accommodate a motorcycle, catering to businesses in various fields. While we couldn’t photograph all areas due to some being reserved, meeting rooms for conferences or seminars and exhibition spaces for showcasing new products are also available for free rental.
In this way, one can complete the entire process from prototype creation to photography within a single building, significantly reducing the time and cost spent visiting multiple vendors for production. If you are an SME struggling with these aspects, don’t hesitate to knock on their door.
○ Location: 277-109 Seongsu-dong 2-ga, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
○ Operating Hours: Monday–Friday, 09:00–18:00
○ Website
○ Reservations
○ Inquiry: 02-6417-3702