KUBS Dean Dong-One Kim
The KUBS Startup Station, located on the second floor of the KUBS Main Building, is scheduled to be completed in September. At the same time, our university will shift the direction of the education from “employment-centered” to “startup-centered.” Investment in startup is extremely significant not only for the school but also for the development of the Korean economy.
The government actively operates startup programs for students as well. Such attempts have played as a positive role in leading the beginning of the “startup business” fad. However, I believe that education provided by universities can present a greater vision in terms of setting the groundwork for long-running startups in Korea because university is a place where culture change can be created gradually.
Once the construction of the KUBS Startup Station is completed, we plan to support students wishing to start their own business in various ways. KUBS will provide an office space where students can work in a pleasant working environment, and also proceed angel investments which is fund capital for an early-stage startup.
Moreover, startup education will be offered. For instance, KUBS will invite alumni who are engaged in industry and guests with various startup experiences to hold special lectures. This not only enables our students to acquire academic theories of startup, but also have an opportunity to develop business perspectives and dream bigger.
When formulating a plan to build a startup support center, we have benchmarked Stanford University and Babson College. In fact, some universities in the United States fund 300 dollars to students who matriculate the school and encourage them to start a business. Even if the students suffered failure in business, the universities give them another chance. Through this, students can launched their businesses approximately four or five times and experience practical startup business in depth. This indeed allows students to learn startup business most vividly.
Our school’s educational method will be changed. We plan to cooperate with other universities and utilize a wide range of networks. I wish our students can draw their ambitious future at the KUBS Startup Station.
Management Committee for KUBS Startup Station
(Left) Prof. Hicheon Kim, Prof. Dae Il Nam, Prof. Ho-Won Jung, and Research Prof. Doyoon Kim
Korea University Business School will launch the “KUBS Startup Station.” The KUBS Startup Station is an “innovation platform” that produce creative entrepreneurs. We believe that KUBS, which has been leading the study of the Business Administration in Korea for the past 110 years, can present a greater vision with the KUBS Startup Station.
The KUBS Startup Station will impress our students as well as allowing prospective entrepreneurs to fulfill their ambitions. Such support is even more meaningful because the donations were made by KUBS alumni to nurture current students. In addition, we would like to extend our deepest gratitude to professors and alumni for supporting the KUBS Startup Station.
The KUBS Startup Station will be divided into two sections: “Seung Myung Ho Entrepreneurship Education Center,” and “Iljin Startup Incubation Center.” Each center will offer systematic startup education and support to pursue its mission. The Iljin Startup Incubation Center enables students to collaborate with external organizations, such as an entrepreneur, industrial expert, venture capitalist, to develop their startup business and also to receive advice and support from mentors with various experiences. The Seung Myung Ho Entrepreneurship Education Center provides startup education and mentoring services. Students moving into the center can receive professional startup education. In addition, the Startup Lecture Series will be held regularly by inviting experts.
KUBS will spare no effort to produce entrepreneurs who perform internationally. The KUBS Startup Station offers the best experience and opportunity to KU students, graduates, as well as students from other universities. We hope that many of you will experience the vision of the KUBS.
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The above interview has been reframed based on the conversation with Management Committee for KUBS Startup Station
