Konkuk University (KU) announced on Jan. 29, 2014, that KU has been selected as a Startup-Leading University as part of the 2014 Cultivation Project for Startup-Leading Universities of the Korean Government.
This Project has been implemented by the Small and Medium Business Administration of Korea (SMBA) since 2011, with an objective of fostering universities equipped with superb infrastructure for startup support as the base for the region's venture business, to promote startups among university students and citizens. To take part in the Project, 49 Korean universities including Seoul National University, Korea University, and Sogang University competed with one another - KU was the only institution in Seoul to be selected as this year's participating university. Through this Project, KU will be able apply for a fund of up to 2.35 million USD.
As KU has been a chosen as a Startup-Leading University, it will receive support for various activities such as commercializing startup items, offering of majors related with industrial convergence, cultivating 20 intra- and extramural startup student clubs, and providing follow-up technical support for startup founders.
Prof. Chul Gyu Lee of KU Dept. of Advanced Industry Fusion and Director of the KU Venture Business Support Center said, "KU has been accumulating know-how and expertise in startups since 1999; we have already fostered 76 startup founders during the past three years through several programs and projects. On the occasion of being selected as a Startup-Leading University, KU will make more concentrated efforts in startup education and support."