A major pillar of KT&G's environmental, social, and governance (ESG) social contribution activities is the Imagine Startup Camp and Imagine Fund. By actively supporting young entrepreneurs and startups led by the Imagine Startup Camp, it contributes to a virtuous economic cycle. Additionally, it focuses on helping marginalized groups through the Imagine Fund, which was voluntarily created by employees.
◇ 169 startup teams fostered, cumulative sales of 44.2 billion won
According to relevant industry sources on the 9th, KT&G has shown remarkable activity by joining the Youth Leap Membership. The Youth Leap Membership is a public-private partnership project where the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Korea Enterprises Federation support the promotion and operation of programs of corporations that engage in outstanding youth employment support activities.
Since participating in the collaboration project in November 2021, KT&G has consistently implemented youth support measures. To nurture social innovation entrepreneurs who aim to solve social problems through business, it has been operating the Imagine Startup Camp for eight years since 2017.
Through this initiative, 169 startup teams have been fostered, and the cumulative sales of these corporations have reached 44.2 billion won. Notably, the 8th phase of the Imagine Startup Camp secured a total of 2.7 billion won in investments, proving its potential for growth as a social innovation corporation.
Additionally, KT&G opened and operates the youth startup space "Imagine Planet" in Seongsu-dong in 2020. Imagine Planet provides tailored education and mentoring to enhance the practical capabilities of entrepreneurs. It also runs programs to enhance interaction among tenant companies.
KT&G has also been recognized for its continuous efforts in youth support projects, such as nurturing social innovation entrepreneurs. It was selected as an excellent corporation for youth employment-friendly social contribution at the "Youth Leap Membership Conference" held in conjunction with the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Korea Enterprises Federation last October.
◇ Spreading warmth to the marginalized through social contribution fund
KT&G is also actively engaged in social contribution activities through the social contribution fund "KT&G Imagine Fund," which is generated by voluntary participation from employees. The cumulative amount used from this fund has surpassed 40 billion won.
Launched in 2011, the Imagine Fund is created when KT&G employees voluntarily donate a portion of their monthly salary, and the company matches the same amount. The generated funds are used to support socially vulnerable groups and to address urgent social issues.
The Imagine Fund is operated through various means like donation requests and a donation marketplace, with deliberation and approval from a fund management committee composed of employee representatives. Donation requests allow employees to discover and propose stories of those in need who are difficult to support through welfare institutions. The fund supports various areas such as medical assistance, housing improvements, and education for marginalized groups.
Every winter, KT&G actively participates in a program called "KT&G Sharing Warmth (On-情)." This social contribution program has been conducted annually by KT&G to support the warm winter of marginalized groups and to promote a culture of sharing during the year-end and New Year.
Sim Young-ah, head of the ESG Management Office, said, "KT&G is implementing the management philosophy of being a 'company that shares' by extending a helping hand to neighbors experiencing difficulties during the winter. We will continue to provide various support to promote a culture of sharing as a corporate citizen in the future."