Dongguk University marked the 120th anniversary of its founding by discussing plans to build an innovation ecosystem spanning the university, investment, and startups. The Dongguk University president, alumni founders, and venture investors presented a range of solutions from startup support to revitalizing the early investment market.
CNTTech and ChosunBiz hosted the "C Forum (C-Forum) 2026 Dongguk University 120th anniversary special forum" at Dongguk University Namsan Hall in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the 15th. C Forum is an event where ecosystem participants, including startups, investors, public institutions, and universities, gather to discuss the future of industry with the values of "Connect, Collaborate, Create." Through this forum, Dongguk University surveyed an innovation ecosystem built jointly by universities, investment, and startups under the theme "120 years of challenge, 100 years of entrepreneurship ahead."
In the first session, Dongguk University President Yun Jae-ung joined a talk on the theme "A startup ecosystem built by universities." Yun said, "With new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly changing existing jobs, universities must build a startup ecosystem so that young people can pioneer new paths on their own."
Founders and investors from Dongguk University discussed investment directions in the era of AI and deep tech. Park Jeong-hwan, CEO of Logan Ventures, said, "AI will significantly lower the expense of content production, but in the end, the winners will be platforms with customers and companies with strong intellectual property (IP)," adding, "Rather than 'we can make it cheaply,' founders should consider how the market will change in two to three years."
Kim Jin-uk, CEO of LucenInvest, advised junior founders, saying, "Technology matters, but before starting a business, you should build enough experience in the field to gain confidence," and "as corporations grow, they must also acquire management and accounting knowledge."
The importance of the early investment market was also raised. While student-founded startups at universities have grown 80% compared with five years ago and faculty-founded startups have increased 430% compared with 10 years ago, there were concerns that the early investment market has not expanded. Yu Gwang-ho, head of Dongguk University Technology Holdings, said, "People say last year's venture investment amount was large, but the early market fell 2%," arguing, "To invigorate university startups, the early investment market must come back to life."
They also shared experiences and difficulties encountered during the startup process. Founders from Dongguk University stressed that the roles of accelerators and investment firms form a crucial foundation for the growth of early-stage corporations.
Kim Tae-yong, CEO of EO Studio, noted, "I started three companies at Dongguk University, but when I first started, there was no such thing as an ecosystem," adding, "I learned a lot by meeting founders in places like Silicon Valley, and I worked hard on the business to build infrastructure and the environment."
Kim Jin-heung, CEO of Brave Company, explained, "Amid a rapid business expansion, I faced a major crisis and realized how important it is to manage cash flow and focus on what you do best." Jeong Sang-won, CEO of Frankit, shared an experience of even taking on delivery gigs to secure staff salaries during a crisis when the business was at risk of shutting down due to COVID-19, saying, "Crisis and opportunity always come together."
With this forum as a starting point, Dongguk University plans to create a venue of consolidation where universities, investors, alumni founders, and students participate together. Based on the 120-year history and asset of its founding, it also plans to seek ways to build a startup ecosystem that will lead the next 100 years.