We will activate the local investment ecosystem to usher in an era of venture investment for all citizens.
Jo Min-sik, vice chairman of Bespin Global, made this remark at the inauguration ceremony of the 1st and 2nd presidents of the Korea Angel Investment Association held in the Gangnam District of Seoul on the 12th.
On this day, Jo was officially inaugurated as the 2nd president of the Angel Investment Association. He announced four core plans for the association, which include expanding the base of angel investment, serving as a governing body trusted by the startup ecosystem for TIPS, revitalizing the local startup investment ecosystem, and promoting member exchanges.
Jo is a business leader with a background as a management consultant who spent over 20 years in corporate advisory and marketing, being a founding member of Samjong KPMG. He has also worked as a professional angel investor, helping startups grow. He has been recognized for contributing to enhancing public-private cooperation for startups by serving as an advisory committee member for the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
With Jo's inauguration, the Angel Investment Association plans to promote the expansion of angel investment through education for prospective investors, improving regulations for professional individual investors, and establishing strategies for recovering angel investments.
In addition, following its re-selection as the governing body for the small and medium-sized enterprises administration's technology startup support program 'TIPS' last month, it plans to contribute to creating results for TIPS by establishing a fair and transparent operational framework, providing customized growth support for TIPS startups, and strengthening global expansion programs.
To foster local angel investors and startups, the association will operate regionally specialized programs centered around local angel investment hubs and promote collaborative projects in regional startup investment. Currently, the Angel Investment Association operates angel investment hubs in four metropolitan areas, including Chungcheong and Honam.
The Angel Investment Association will also strengthen the network of angel investors by establishing systems such as the angel membership program.
Jo noted, 'Angel investment plays a role in helping entrepreneurs fulfill their dreams rather than just pursuing economic benefits,' adding that 'we will nurture global unicorn corporations through an investment ecosystem created by venture people and all citizens together.'