Gyeongsang National University Startup-Centered University hosts ‘Startup MEET&TALK’

▸68 companies selected in 2026 all in one place... building a practice-oriented networking foundation

▸‘Regional startup networking’ connecting senior and junior founders and partner investment institutions goes into full operation

Gyeongsang National University (GNU; President Kwon Jin-hoe) Startup-Centered University Project Group (Director Choi Byeong-geun) successfully concluded the 2026 Startup-Centered University ‘Startup MEET & TALK’ program at the Grand Josun Busan Hotel on May 28–29.

About 80 people attended, including 68 startups selected for Gyeongsang National University’s 2026 Startup-Centered University program, the Pioneers Club (Alumni Association) steering committee, and officials from partner investment institutions.

The event was organized to enhance understanding of the Startup-Centered University program by providing guidance on its objectives, use of funds, and support programs to strengthen entrepreneurial capacity, and, beyond a simple briefing, to establish tangible links among senior and junior founders and partner investment institutions in order to build a sustainable startup ecosystem.

At the event, the operating direction and activity plans of the Pioneers Club were shared in detail, and newly selected companies were encouraged to join actively. The Pioneers Club is a virtuous-cycle startup community in which senior startups mentor juniors, and is expected to contribute to continued follow-on outcomes after graduation through joint project discovery, investment linkage, and networking.

In addition, participants heard directly from Korea Technology Finance Corporation and Gyeongsang National University Technology Business Center on technology finance support and approaches to attracting investment, and Park Seon-jong, CEO of the Jeonbuk Center for Creative Economy & Innovation, shared know-how on fundraising and strategies for securing intellectual property, helping broaden the horizons of the startups.

The event is assessed to have evolved beyond a simple program briefing into a comprehensive support venue where newly selected companies could cover investment, networking, and growth strategies all in one place.

Choi Byeong-geun, Head of the Startup-Centered University Project Group, said, “This event was organized to create a startup ecosystem that grows together through connections and collaboration among startups, beyond a simple program briefing. For startups to grow, not only support for commercialization funds but also connections and collaboration among companies and sharing of experiences with senior startups are very important.” He added, “I hope this event will be the starting point for practical cooperation among startups and an opportunity to link the regional startup ecosystem even more firmly.”

Now in its 4th year, Gyeongsang National University’s Startup-Centered University Project Group was selected in 2023 as a Startup-Centered University supported by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development, and has been actively operating the program. The group has achieved meaningful results in discovering outstanding startups and providing tailored growth support, linking investment and opening sales channels, and spreading an entrepreneurial culture in the region, establishing itself as a key hub of the startup ecosystem in the southeastern region. In particular, in the 2025 annual evaluation, it achieved the result of being ranked in the Top 3 among Startup-Centered Universities nationwide.

Starting with this ‘Startup MEET & TALK’ event, the Startup-Centered University Project Group plans to fully roll out in 2026 support for commercialization funding, customized growth programs, global expansion support, and alumni-linked programs. The group will continue to take the lead in revitalizing a technology startup ecosystem linked to the region’s key industries, including aerospace and defense, precision machinery, and chemicals and energy.

ㅇ Photo caption: The Gyeongsang National University (GNU) Startup-Centered University Project Group successfully held the ‘2026 Startup MEET & TALK’ at the Grand Josun Busan Hotel on May 28–29.

ㅇ For inquiries: Gyeongsang National University Startup-Centered University Project Group 055-772-4682

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