Hana Financial Group Chairman Ham Young-joo, right, poses for a photo with Kyung Hee University President Kim Jin-sang, Thursday, after signing a strategic partnership agreement to strengthen regional startup ecosystems. Courtesy of Hana Financial Group
Hana Financial Group has begun recruiting participants for the fifth edition of “Hana Social Venture University,” its flagship entrepreneurship support initiative aimed at fostering young startup founders, the company said Sunday.
As part of the initiative, the group entered into a strategic partnership with Kyung Hee University to strengthen regional startup ecosystems.
Launched in 2022 in cooperation with the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the program partners with leading universities across the country to provide practice-oriented entrepreneurship education, helping young entrepreneurs turn innovative ideas into sustainable businesses while cultivating talent suited to local industries and regional characteristics.
The initiative began with 10 universities across five regions, before expanding nationwide to 30 universities the following year, emerging as a notable example of collaboration among the private sector, academia and government. By the end of 2025, a total of 431 startup teams launched through the program were operating steadily, while cumulative job creation had reached 1,081 positions.
The financial group said the newly launched fifth cohort, introduced in partnership with Kyung Hee University, will place greater emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI)-centered entrepreneurship training. The group plans to recruit around 1,500 aspiring entrepreneurs from 30 universities nationwide, offering tailored support throughout the startup process, including business model development, commercialization and fundraising.
The upgraded program will focus on strengthening AI startup capabilities, expanding sales opportunities tailored to different customer segments and reinforcing cooperation networks among universities and regional startup communities.
The group also plans to provide continued post-launch support, including legal advisory services, investment consulting and financing assistance.
“We will continue supporting young entrepreneurs so that their growth and innovation can directly contribute to revitalizing regional economies,” Hana Financial Group Chairman Ham Young-joo said.
Source: Korea Times News
