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The Seoul National University Startup Support Center is expanding its role as an organic "connection platform" linking alumni entrepreneurs who have left the university, investors, and current student founders.
Held annually in early September, the 'Seoul National University Alumni Entrepreneur Network' has become a flagship alumni event and networking venue, bringing together senior entrepreneurs who have built unicorns (private companies with valuations of 1 trillion won or more), aspiring and early-stage founders, Seoul National University-affiliated accelerators (ACs), and venture capitalists (VCs).
In the past, connections between seniors and juniors were structured around individual links through on-campus startup clubs like SNUSV or student-led ACs such as 'SNAAC'. Today, however, it has evolved into a large-scale network platform led by the Startup Support Center, with 400 to 500 alumni participating.
This year's event will feature a "King of Kings" pitching contest where 13 on-campus startup-related institutional investors Gyeong Jin-dae-hoe (수상) compete, along with promotional booths allowing direct experience of products from over 20 alumni companies.
Beyond the annual large-scale event, the Startup Support Center also operates regular small-scale gatherings called 'AZIT' quarterly to enhance network continuity. These sessions bring together approximately 30 to 50 student founders and alumni investors for in-depth information exchange and close-knit networking.
The scope of the Startup Support Center's activities extends beyond the university campus. In collaboration with KAIST, it runs a 'Student Entrepreneur Networking Camp' where promising startups from both universities share lessons learned from trial and error and success stories, while exploring follow-up collaborations and scaling strategies.
Additionally, through the 'Laboratory Startup Project' involving Korea University and Yonsei University, the center supports technology-driven startups led primarily by graduate students. It also continues cooperation with nearby institutions such as Chung-Ang University and Soongsil University to activate regional entrepreneurship. Furthermore, there is a growing trend of strengthening collaboration with local governments and related institutional investors like Gwanak Small and Medium Business Promotion Agency.
Kang Geon-wook, head of the Seoul National University Startup Support Center, stated: "Centered on the Seoul National University Campus Town 'Entrepreneur Hero (HERE-RO)', we provide office space for entrepreneurial talents in collaboration with the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Gwanak District, and private companies. We offer comprehensive support including education, technical consulting, investor connections, and assistance for overseas expansion."
[MoneyToday startup media platform 'Unicorn Factory']
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