Startup Development, Technology Commercialization and Investment Cooperation … Building a Global Cooperative Model
Konkuk University has announced on the 13th that it has signed a MOU with Tsinghua University on startup development, technology commercialization and investment cooperation.Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the agreement was signed via online meeting in Seoul, Beijing and Tsinghua where Chinese officials are located.
In the agreement held in Startup Lounge at Innovation Building of Konkuk University on 9th, Professor Moon-joo Lee from College of Engineering, Director Jae-min Park from Startup Support Foundation, Director Sang-chul Bong from Center for Startup Planning, Director Hyun-gu Cho from Technology Holdings and Manager Seok-soo Kim from Department of Technology Commercialization participated on behalf of Chang Seon Song, the Vice President for Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation. In Tsinghua University Technology Holdings Company, ZHANG Jinsheng, the Executive President, WANG Yongryui, the Associate Executive Vice President, Chang Wuhung, the International Joint Accountant, and Shiya Pei, the International Joint Director attended the meeting.
Throughout the agreement, the two institutions will work on the following areas; technology transfer and commercialization in the field of bio, medical and life science, joint research, investment and development of advanced technology enterprises, joint host of Demo Day for advanced enterprise establishment and network exchange, supporting companies that wish to enter local market in both countries, and cooperation of international accelerating program for the development of global network.'Tus-Holdings’, the representative model of industry-academia cooperation in China
Tsinghua University, also known as MIT of China, has established Tus-Holdings in 2000 to systematically manage the startups and their assets as the number of startup keeps increasing based on the research achievements by professors and students at Tsinghua University. Its shares are 100% owned by Tsinghua University. Tus-Holdings has fostered more than 10,000 businesses over the past 30 years.After the establishment, Tus-Holdings has been continuously growing and its latest asset amounted to 352.8 billion CNY (about 59 trillion KRW) increasing 140 times in 14 years. Tus-Holdings ranked 163rd among China’s top 500 companies regarding assets. Annually, it allocates about 10% of its net income to Tsinghua University. In terms of research funds, Tus-Holdings provides 100 to 200 million CNY (17.7 to 35.4 billion KRW) to Tsinghua University each year. Tsinghua University also raises its income from technical fees by selling original technologies or patents to Tsinghua University. With all the assets collected, Tsinghua University foster talent and develop technologies.
<The view of ‘TusPark’ managed by Tus-Holdings of Tsinghua University>
An Opportunity to Strengthen Global Online Program in the Era of COVID-19
The MOU between Konkuk University and Tsinghua University provided an opportunity for global cooperation environment which has become difficult due to COVID-19. Konkuk University Startup Support Foundation and Tus-Holdings jointly hosted ‘KU Innovation Hackathon’, a global competition participated by undergraduate and graduate students from Konkuk University and Tsinghua University as well as officials from university affiliates, in January.
Under the topic of bio-healthcare and companion animals, a subsidiary company of Tus-Holdings presents the Hackathon and participates in mentoring and evaluation while offering an opportunity for exchange among global startups, professionals and student startup teams.
Throughout the Hackathon, which lasted for three days in total, Tus-Holdings satisfied with its operational performance and actively participated in the MOU.