Social Value Festival for College Students

Social Transformation of Young Startups: The Beginning of Collaborative Evolution

Introduction

The Sapiens civilization, which has lasted for 300,000 years, is now in a crisis. Signs of catastrophic fate for humanity, such as climate crisis, environmental issues, food/water shortages, energy, war, pandemics, natural disasters, polarization, and AI issues are appearing all over the world. The proposition from Patagonia that "the planet is our main shareholder" is no longer a romantic slogan.       Many countries, institutions, and companies are working hard to overcome these crises of civilization and create a new future. Our government, local governments, businesses, and non-profit organizations are also striving to solve problems unique to our society, such as low birth rates and aging populations, in addition to the issues mentioned above.  In particular, our companies have been trying to practice sustainable management by pursuing environmental and social values under the name of ESG and improving corporate governance in recent years.  However, it is insufficient for the government and businesses alone to overcome this crisis. The problems are too deep and diverse, and the rate of occurrence is incredibly fast. 

  On September 12th, a gathering titled 'Social Value Festival' was held, hosted by the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry, where various fields of people pursuing social value came together to discuss. Although it was an amazing place for learning and sharing, there was a lack of communication with college youth, who are the main agents in seriously contemplating and solving these issues. We need to let our youth experience more (non)profit businesses/startups that pursue social values.  

  Therefore, at this forum, we will ask what the domestic student startup ecosystem needs to prepare to embrace social value. To this end, we will discuss the social transformation of young entrepreneurs from the perspective of the nation, investors, and foundations. This means that young people should be able to explain their startups in terms of social value. We want to meet and support more young entrepreneurs dreaming of and practicing social transformation in their startups. We would like to create more opportunities for various entities in the startup ecosystem to explore ways of coexistence towards higher social value. We would like to invite you to the beginning of this collaborative evolution.    

* <THE Forum> is a converging knowledge forum started by Gachon University's Startup College, Gachon Cocone School (GCS: Gachon Cocone School), to materialize its vision of 'entrepreneurial transformation in life,' providing a venue for exchanging ideas to propose new values between technology (Technology), humans (Human), and enterprises (Enterprise).

Overview

Topic: Social Transformation of Young Startups: The Beginning of Collaborative Evolution Date: October 25, 2024 (Friday) 14:00-18:00 Location: Gachon Cocone School (Gachon University Global Campus, AI Building 6th Floor) https://naver.me/xQogmTLc

Organizer: Gachon University Startup College
Support (to be confirmed): Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Gyeonggi Social Economy Center, Impact Alliance Participation Fee: Free (limited to pre-registered participants, first 100 participants)

Target Audience: Young entrepreneurs and those interested in solving social issues

Other: Money Today Ti Times YouTube Live Broadcast

Side Event: Student Entrepreneur Exhibition Booth

Program Time / Section / Content / Speaker

14:00-15:00 / Registration, Exhibition Viewing

15:00-15:10 / Introduction of Purpose / Jang Dae-ik, Dean of Gachon University's Startup College

15:10-15:55 / Issue Talk / What are we currently doing to solve social issues? Why should companies care about social issues? / Jo Young-jun, Director of Sustainable Management at the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry
How are impact investment firms addressing changes in the world? / Do Hyun-myung, CEO of Impact Square The social issues our era wants to resolve and entrepreneurial spirit. / Kim Jung-bin, CEO of Superbin

15:55-16:30 / Entrepreneur Talk / Reasons I challenged to start a business Child Hunger / From being a college student to founding a social venture. / Kim Ha-yun, CEO of Sharing Vitamin
Waste Treatment / From social innovation to tech startups. / Lee Yun-ji, CEO of Sobmount
Senior Care / 'Customer' Problem Solving = Impact Creation / Jang Joon-pyo, CEO of Pop Parents
Firefighter Uniform Upcycling / Creating social impact with passion beyond challenges. / Lee Seung-woo, CEO of 119 Leo
Local Food Information Sharing / A pre-entrepreneur's story of starting a social venture. / Yeom Hye-in, CEO of Deadline Hero

16:30-16:50 / Coffee Break & Networking 16:50-17:50 / Open Talk How can we help the social transformation of young entrepreneurs?Moderator: Gachon University Professor Panel: Student Entrepreneurs, Yoo Hoon, Director of Gyeonggi Social Economy Center, Lee Hyun-seung, Head of Global Impact Reduction at Good Neighbors, Yook Sim-na, Secretary-General of Kakao Impact Foundation, Jung Won-sik, Investment Review Officer at D3 Jubilee Partners, Jo Young-jun, Director of Sustainable Management at the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Do Hyun-myung, CEO of Impact Square, Kim Jung-bin, CEO of Superbin

17:50-18:00 / Closing / Wrap-up

Speakers and Lecture Introductions)

Jo Young-jun, Director of Sustainable Management at the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Experience)
- Secretary-General of the New Entrepreneurship Council
- Chair of the Environmental Division of the Seoul Sustainable Development Committee
- Member of the Ministry of Environment's Environmental Pollution Damage Relief Policy Committee

Lecture Title) Why Should Companies Care About Social Issues?
Lecture Introduction) As social problems in modern society have become more complex, it has become difficult to solve them using only government efforts. Population issues, climate issues, wealth inequality, and geopolitical issues now directly affect the business environment of companies. Through the New Entrepreneurship (ERT), the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry is sharing the efforts of companies in solving social issues and is promoting joint projects. In particular, the Social Value Festival was planned to gather various stakeholders, including companies, government, and civil society, who are interested in solving social issues to think together and to pool their strengths.

Do Hyun-myung, CEO of Impact Square

Experience)
- Head of the Korean Chapter of Social Value International
- Director of Impact Alliance
- Former expert member of the Social Economy Commission of the Job Creation Committee

Lecture Title) How are impact investment firms solving the world's changes?
Lecture Introduction) We will summarize the social issues and current business status of companies as viewed through the map of social issues in South Korea. Although social issues are many and complex, we can solve them through collaboration and effort. Starting from 10 years ago, we have been supporting institutions, companies, and entrepreneurs making these efforts. Now, many people are empathetic and collaborating. Companies like the social ventures we invest in are also making progress. We will discuss the globally changing trends and current issues and explore ways for more people to participate.

Kim Jung-bin, CEO of Superbin

Experience)
- Former Associate Professor of Future Convergence Management at Myongji University
- Former Carbon Neutral Committee Member of the Korea Environmental Corporation
- Former CEO of Costil Group
- Former Team Leader of KPMG Strategy Group

Lecture Title) The Social Issues Our Era Wants to Solve and Entrepreneurial Spirit
Lecture Introduction) Although I became a CEO while working for a company, I could not act on my own will. I founded a company called Smilebin, a resource circulation platform, with friends but failed. The environmental field is a regulated industry, making it challenging to incorporate new ideas. Could waste not be traded? What if we created a system that is fun, profitable, and beneficial for the environment? Through continuous efforts, my company has grown, and I am now creating a culture that makes waste valuable and enjoyable. I will share experiences encountered through various attempts.

Student Entrepreneurs)

Kim Ha-yeon, CEO of Sharing Vitamin

Experience)
On leave from Seoul National University, majoring in Business Management and Information Culture
Awardee of the President's Award, Korea Talent Award, Minister of Education's Award, Seoul Student Award, Gyeonggi Governor's Award
Former Advertising Team Leader at Seoul National University Community Snoo Life
Former Creator of YouTube 'Studio Sha', co-author of <'Study Method for Middle and High School Students' >.

Lecture Title) How I Started a Social Venture as a College Student
Lecture Introduction) During college, as educational volunteer activities were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I realized the power of an online infrastructure by creating over 100 pieces of content as a creator for an educational YouTube channel. To address the issue of child hunger found during educational volunteering, I established 'Sharing Vitamin' to develop a platform for providing meals comfortably to hungry children. I digitized the existing offline donation system and developed an efficient matching system using data for donors and beneficiaries. I will candidly share the challenges and failures I faced during the initial stages of entrepreneurship and my journey thus far.

Lee Yun-ji, CEO of Sobmount

Experience)
Head of Programs at Yonsei University Student-Led AC Organization 'Y-Ventures'
Studying in the Department of Living Design / Business at Yonsei University

Lecture Title) From Social Innovation to Tech Startups
Lecture Introduction) Sobmount is a startup that manages waste based on AIoT technology, tackling the issue of 'cigarette butts,' which many people find inconvenient but have no clear solution. I will share insights gained from four pivots that I underwent from the public art collection design project to growing into a technology startup with a global aim.

Jang Joon-pyo, CEO of Pop Parents

Experience)
Non-executive Director of the Central Social Service Center
Former employee at the Senior Tower in Gangnam, Seoul

Lecture Title) Solving the 'Customer's' Problems = Creating Impact
Lecture Introduction) Pop Parents is a company with a mission to enhance senior social participation and expand social networks to improve healthy lifespan in an ultra-aged society.  Creating what is said to be an impact is termed as 'doing good.' So, what does 'doing good' mean in the context of a profit-seeking enterprise? I believe that finding the right problems faced by customers under the appropriate problem-solving consciousness of the entrepreneur is key to creating impact, increasing revenue, and growing the business.

Lee Seung-woo, CEO of 119 Leo

Experience) Current Director of the Korea Environmental Industry Association
Current Brian Fellow
Former President of the International Acts Club of Konkuk University, studying Architecture at Konkuk University

Lecture Title) Creating Social Impact with Passion Beyond Challenges
Lecture Introduction) 119REO means to save each other (Rescue Each Other). Currently, 119REO upcycles firefighter uniforms that have been used by actual firefighters into bags, wallets, bracelets, etc., and uses part of the profit to ensure the rights of firefighters. Additionally, we have secured recycling technology to extract fibers from firefighter uniforms to produce PCR-Aramid. I will tell the story of upcycling firefighter uniforms to save firefighters, starting from a university club and continue the telling of the challenges for Aramid recycling that saves the Earth.

Yeom Hye-in, CEO of Deadline Hero

Experience)
Currently studying Business Administration at Gachon University
Awardee of the Gyeonggi Social Economy Center's Demo Day Practitioner's Award 2024
Selected in the Social Venture Field of the 2024 Pre-Startup Package

Lecture Title) The Story of a Pre-Entrepreneur Starting a Social Venture
Lecture Introduction) As a pre-entrepreneur preparing to start a social venture, I would like to share the process of how I turned my ideas into reality. Through the service 'Deadline Hero,' I have begun my journey to listen to the big and small problems in the local community and protect the environment. I will honestly share the various challenges and difficulties faced as a student entrepreneur along with the factors that were the greatest source of strength and lessons learned during the entrepreneurial process.

Open Talk)

Yoo Hoon, Director of Gyeonggi Social Economy Center

Experience)
Former Director of the ESG Management Center at the Korea Standards Association
Former Team Leader of the Consulting Headquarters at the Korea Management Association
Former ESG Advisor for the Ministry of Economy and Finance
Former External Relations Director at Save the Children
Former Director of Participation and Sharing Department at Beautiful Store

Lee Hyun-seung, Head of Global Impact Reduction at Good Neighbors

Experience)
Former External Relations Director at Save the Children
Former Director of Participation and Sharing Department at Beautiful Store

Yook Sim-na, Secretary-General of Kakao Impact Foundation

Experience)
Kakao CA Council ESG Leader / Vice President
Former Committee Member on Greenhouse Gas Reduction directly under the President
Former Public Relations Committee Member of the Community Chest of Korea

Jung Won-sik, Investment Review Officer at D3 Jubilee Partners

Experience)
Former Director of a Local Special City Forum and Global Shaper of the World Economic Forum
Former founder of Non-Profit Organization Teacher Travelling with Students