"What idea can positively impact over a billion people within the next 10 years?"

Hwang Seong-hyun, CEO of Quantum Insight (President of the TEU Committee), stated that anyone dreaming of being an innovator should ask themselves this question. "Companies like Google and Netflix have pondered such large-scale issues," he emphasized, urging to "broaden the perspective and find a 'grand challenge' that targets the whole world."

"We need to find problems affecting a billion, not a hundred thousand"

In a recent interview with the Korea Economic Daily, he highlighted 'broad vision' as the first essential competency for innovators who can change the future. He stated, "It is important to envision a larger future rather than only thinking about what I know or what I have seen," adding that while limiting oneself to domestic issues may affect hundreds of thousands, broadening the view to a global perspective can yield much greater influence.

Hwang is a human resources expert who worked as a Senior HR Business Partner at Google's headquarters in Silicon Valley. He has held roles as the Head of Human Resources at Yahoo Korea, HR Team Leader at Google Korea, and Vice President of HR at Kakao, and has advised over 40 startups in HR. He has now rolled up his sleeves to nurture innovative talent in the startup sector through the Tide Envision University (TEU) program of the non-profit organization Tide Institute.

Hwang expressed concern that many college students and professionals who dream of innovation focus only on relatively small issues. He noted, "When I ask Korean students what their biggest immediate concern is, they mention employment issues or yellow dust problems," and added, "Of course, those issues are important, but we also need to pay attention to larger, global problems like space debris, hunger in Africa, and climate change." According to Hwang, "There is a huge business opportunity, and Korean talent is missing out on critical opportunities."

He mentioned, "If we could establish a program similar to Singularity University in Silicon Valley in Korea, it could greatly help those struggling to implement vague ideas that could change the world." TEU, planned by Hwang and A-Team Ventures CEO Ko San, is a 10-week program benchmarking the 'Singularity University' supported by organizations like NASA and Google. It includes seminars to solve various social issues, team projects to develop ideas into startups, mentoring, and demo days.

Scene from the TEU program.

Hwang explained that the problems the TEU aims to solve are major issues humanity faces, such as food shortages and climate problems, emphasizing that it is an innovation school aimed at cultivating talent to create products or services that can influence over a billion people within 10 years.

Instead of illusions about global companies… hone your skills

TEU does not limit its seminars to mere information delivery but engages in discussions with innovators who possess both theory and experience in various advanced technology fields. Hwang noted, "It is a process of developing the ability to spread and persuade others about one’s vision" and highlighted that an open attitude capable of sharing ideas, energy, and knowledge with others is crucial. In the latter part of the program, people interested in similar problems need to form teams and lead actual projects.

The curriculum of TEU, inspired by Singularity University in Silicon Valley.

The regular course lasts for 10 weeks, accommodating 50 participants regardless of their academic background, experience, or age. So far, over 120 graduates have emerged from four regular courses. TEU's fifth session will run from July 16 to September 17. Hwang stated, "We are continuously conducting the program, and we are currently recruiting for TEU's fifth session," saying that it is aimed at those who want to realize crazy ideas. He added, "A common characteristic among successful startup founders is not simply wanting to make money, but embarking on a mission to change the lives of the users they target."

Having previously managed HR at the global company Google, Hwang remarked, "It seems that Korean youth often have illusions about global companies, but if you only play a small role in a large organization, there might be little to learn." He pointed out that many people tend to only practice interview skills to get into a global company, but once they become recognized experts in a specific field, companies will come to them.

He hopes that young people interested in starting their own businesses will not become overly fixated on acquiring small techniques and skills. He believes that by actively seeking out and addressing significant problems, technology and funding will naturally come together.

"Instead of feeling inferior to oneself, thinking 'Why don't I know this technical part?' I hope we can ponder how the world will change in the future and how to solve the problems that arise in that process. If we look at the future with a broad perspective, we can find opportunities to change the world."

Reporter Go Eun-i koko@hankyung.com