YU ranks 6th nationwide and 1st outside the Seoul metropolitan area in number of student entrepreneurs

Sharing youth startup achievements and expanding investment linkages; Demo Day validates business and technological competitiveness 

Strengthening its role as a regional startup hub platform
 AI startup trends lecture and MOUs reinforce structured entrepreneurship support system

[February 13, 2026]

 Yeungnam University (YU, President CHOI Oe-chool) held the “2025 YUnicorn IMPACT RISE” event on February 12 at the Lee Si-won Global Convention Hall of the Cheonma Arts Center, providing a platform to share the outcomes of its entrepreneurship support programs and expand investment linkages.

According to the 2025 Higher Education Disclosure data, YU recorded 58 student entrepreneurs, ranking 6th nationwide and 1st among universities outside the Seoul metropolitan area, demonstrating its outstanding entrepreneurial capacity. Building on these achievements, YU has expanded entrepreneurship education and field-oriented support programs. The event was organized to comprehensively share the University’s startup support outcomes and to validate them from market and investment perspectives.The event showcased the results of phased startup support programs implemented by the YUnicorn Startup Support Group under the RISE Project, including entrepreneurship education, mentoring, commercialization assistance, and prototype development.Approximately 100 participants, including university students interested in entrepreneurship, attended to share startup achievements and explore the latest startup trends. Distinguished guests in attendance included President CHOI Oe-chool of YU, Gyeongsan Mayor CHO Hyun-il, Chairperson AHN Moon-gil of the Gyeongsan City Council, and JEONG Ki-hwan, Head of the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Regional Office of SMEs and Startups, who offered encouragement for the University’s entrepreneurial accomplishments.

<Startup prototypes are introduced at the exhibition booth.>

 The program began with an opening ceremony and performance report, followed by the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with external investment institutions such as venture capital (VC) firms and accelerators (ACs), as well as ceremonies for the delivery of Letters of Intent for investment and Investment Commitment Agreements. These initiatives provided an opportunity to gain external recognition of YU’s startup achievements and to strengthen cooperative foundations with investment partners.

During the Demo Day session, five student startup teams from universities in the Gyeongsan area presented their business ideas and engaged in Q&A sessions, undergoing comprehensive evaluation of business feasibility, technological capability, and market potential.In addition, LEE Jae-hoon, CEO of Ecopro Partners Co., Ltd., delivered a special lecture titled “Startup Trends Utilizing AI,” sharing insights into emerging technology-driven startup trends and practical cases. An “Idea Startup Valley” exhibition booth was also operated as a side event, presenting key programs and prototype outcomes of the YUnicorn Startup Support Group.

<President CHOI Oe-chool delivers the welcome address.>

 In his welcome remarks, President CHOI stated, “As universities look toward the global market, they must provide young entrepreneurs with an environment that does not fear failure and with a practical support system.” He added, “We are now in an era where professional expertise must be combined with AI utilization capabilities to secure competitiveness. YU will actively leverage its global network to connect entrepreneurship education, research, and industry–academia cooperation, enabling students to grow into entrepreneurial leaders who understand both technology and the market.” He further emphasized, “Together with the region, we will build an innovative startup ecosystem and develop into a leading startup hub worthy of being called Korea’s new growth engine, ‘Y-Valley.’”

 Meanwhile, the event was conducted as part of the Gyeongsangbuk-do Regional Innovation System & Education (RISE) Project and served as a structured startup performance platform centered on the YUnicorn Startup Support Group, aimed at systematically organizing and disseminating YU’s entrepreneurship outcomes while strengthening linkages with regional investment institutions.