The Seoul National University of Science and Technology's Startup Support Group conducted the '2025 SeoulTech Global Competency Enhancement Program' (hereafter referred to as the Global Competency Enhancement Program) to assist pre-startup and early-stage companies in expanding internationally. Through this program, promising startups aspiring to enter foreign markets have reportedly achieved meaningful outcomes in verifying their capabilities and enhancing their competencies.


The Global Competency Enhancement Program was conducted over four weeks from September 2 to October 1. It targeted 20 startups, including pre-startup and early-stage companies at Seoul National University of Science and Technology and business incubation companies (BI). The university's Startup Support Group provided practical education ranging from business expansion strategies and direction setting to strategies for entering the global market and attracting investment.

Numerous experts with experience in international expansion and investment attraction participated in this Global Competency Enhancement Program. They led practical, work-focused education on the global market environment, regulations, and investment trends over the four weeks.

The first lecture was delivered by Minseung Yoo, CEO of Technocrats, on the topic 'Which Market to Target: Achieving Global PMF (Product-Market Fit) through Localization' at the Imagination Hall of Seoul National University of Science and Technology. On the same day, Brian Shin, co-founder of Joinable Lab, shared insights on 'Think Global: Understanding International Expansion and Product Building Strategies.' Subsequently, Louis Disel, Asia representative of Startup Junkie, presented 'Practical Pitching & Networking on the Global Stage' at the Startup Branch in COEX, Gangnam, Seoul. Louis Disel also led the third lecture on 'Global Storytelling and the Next Steps for Startups' at the Imagination Hall, assisting startups in effectively promoting themselves when entering foreign markets.

The final fourth lecture covered topics such as ▲Deep Tech Commercialization for Global Expansion (Kyungjin Hyeong, CEO of Blissbine Ventures) ▲Understanding Overseas Corporation Establishment and Cross-Border Investment Contracts (Sung-hoon Kim, Chief Attorney of Mission). These programs, composed of practical lectures, received positive responses from pre-startup and early-stage companies, with active Q&A sessions.


Through the Global Competency Enhancement Program, startups focused on verifying their potential and suitability for international market entry, as well as strengthening their strategy formulation and IR capabilities. Networking among startups over the four weeks also increased the potential for actual investment attraction.

Seongjae Jeong, CEO of Optic Labs, who participated in the Global Competency Enhancement Program, stated, "Although our company was selected for this year's Pre-Startup Package, developing a laser system for quantum computers necessitates international expansion. The Global Competency Enhancement Program provided many practically helpful educational sessions for early-stage companies like ours, making it beneficial." Shin-hye Lee, CEO of Podly, also remarked, "I gained a lot of useful information through this Global Competency Enhancement Program," adding, "It was important to identify which overseas markets are suitable for our business item." She further noted, "It was a time to consider various strategies related to global expansion."

Additionally, the Seoul National University of Science and Technology's Startup Support Group plans to continue supporting outstanding startups that participated in the Global Competency Enhancement Program through overseas media coverage and exhibition booths, thus providing a foundation for more effective international expansion.

Jung Kyung-hee, Deputy Director of the Startup Support Group at Seoul National University of Science and Technology, stated, "We conducted the Global Competency Enhancement Program over four weeks to provide practical support to startups wishing to expand internationally," adding, "It is not easy for pre-startup and early-stage companies to meet experts with experience in global expansion and investment attraction. This program was designed to provide practical assistance and match local partners when they expand overseas. We also focused on enabling growth in networking. Follow-up support related to the program will continue."

IT Donga Reporter Park Gwi-im (luckyim@itdonga.com)

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