Busan National University Holds 'Youth Open Innovation Challenge' and ESG Management Concert

Open Innovation and Sharing of Sustainable Management Values Between Young Entrepreneurs and Corporations

The Startup Support Group at Busan National University, led by Director Kang Jungeun (Professor of Urban Engineering), which is carrying out the university-based startup program, announced on the 26th that it held the 'Youth Open Innovation Challenge' and the 'ESG Management Concert' on the 25th at Diamond A Hall, Hotel Nongshim in Busan, to invigorate the regional startup ecosystem.

These two events were organized to enhance the startup culture and to share the values of open innovation between large corporations and startups, as well as sustainable management (ESG).

For the Youth Open Innovation Challenge, young (prospective) entrepreneurs from the southeastern region proposed and refined ideas to address innovation challenges presented by participating companies, which were then validated. This year, in addition to existing participants LG Electronics, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, and Korea Southern Power, Chokwang Paint joined for the first time, expanding the scope of collaboration.

A total of four challenges were presented, and in the final round, the following teams were selected: ▲LG Electronics President's Award: LG Discovery Lab Team ▲HD Hyundai Heavy Industries President's Award: Green Decibel Team ▲Korea Southern Power President's Award: NEXTWELD Team ▲Chokwang Paint President's Award: Re;Painter Team.

The ESG Management Concert aimed to raise awareness and share ESG values to help startups establish sustainable management systems. In its fourth year, this year's event brought together 40 startups selected for the 2025 university-based startup program, who also participated in the 'ESG Management Declaration Ceremony.'

Programs were operated to provide startups with practical resources, including ESG strategies for global markets, government support measures, sharing of best practices, and guidance on certification systems.

Kang Jungeun, Director of the Busan National University Startup Support Group, stated, "For the regional startup ecosystem to grow, both innovation and sustainability must go hand in hand. Through this event, I hope that large corporations and young entrepreneurs can seek solutions for future industries together, and that startups can gain new growth opportunities by sharing ESG management directions that meet global standards."

Busan National University is holding the Youth Open Innovation Challenge and taking a commemorative photo.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.