Yonsei University, one of South Korea’s most prestigious institutions, has long been at the forefront of supporting and promoting Korean startups and entrepreneurs through various programs. Every year, Yonsei University conducts unique virtual entrepreneurship programs, inviting experts from around the world to deliver compelling lectures on global expansion and business development. This year, the 2024 Yonsei Summer School, in collaboration with beSUCCESS Media Group & Cuvee April, hosted a transformative entrepreneurship course from June 27 to July 16, 2024. The online lecture series was hosted by Yonsei Enterprise Support Foundation.
The virtual program attracted investors, mentors, and esteemed experts from the startup and business world, who shared their invaluable knowledge with Yonsei’s diverse student body. Global experts and investors from the USA, Europe, China, Japan, the Middle East, Africa, and South Korea joined the Yonsei Summer School program as mentors, imparting valuable insights into the world of entrepreneurship and startups.
Students from various faculties, including business management, computer science, fine art, and English literature, participated in the course, which aimed to introduce them to the dynamic world of entrepreneurship and provide insights into the ever-evolving global startup trends. The 2024 program featured sessions with global experts, who brought their extensive experience and unique perspectives to the students.
Diverse Expertise from Global Mentors
Sunny Midha, Growth Investor, USA
Sunny Midha from the USA kicked off the sessions on June 27 and 28. A seasoned professional in the TMT (Technology, Media, and Telecommunications) sector and a principal investor at Principia Growth, Sunny focuses on late-stage growth investments for both B2B and B2C companies. Having lived and worked in major global hubs such as London, Los Angeles, and New York City, Sunny has cultivated a robust network and deep expertise across the UK and USA. His extensive background in investment banking, e-commerce startups, film and media, esports, and technology venture capital provided students with a comprehensive understanding of the US startup ecosystem.
Ikeda Masaru, Techpreneur, Japan
On July 1 and 2, Ikeda Masaru from Japan shared his expertise on the Japanese startup ecosystem. A renowned techpreneur, journalist, and co-founder of the bilingual website “The Bridge,” Masaru has made significant contributions to the IT industry through his development of various web services and his extensive writing for tech blogs and publications. His vast knowledge of cutting-edge technologies and innovative internet services has enabled him to perform due diligence for IT startups for independent VC firms and teach open-source-based system integration processes to students from Asia under Japan’s national aid program for developing countries.
Tomasz Kowalczyk, Business Growth Designer, Poland
Tomasz Kowalczyk from Poland led sessions on July 3 and 4, shedding light on the European startup ecosystem. As a Partner and Growth & Innovation Designer at Rebels Valley, Tomasz co-founded the company to provide premier advisory and acceleration services to innovation-driven Polish and international companies. With over 10 years of experience in technology implementation and innovation, Tomasz is passionate about helping corporations and startups navigate the ever-evolving landscape of emerging technologies. Tomasz provided insights into how Asian startups can expand into European markets, emphasizing the integration of emerging technologies such as hardware, sports tech, AI, and IoT.
Baron Chang, Global Business Enabler, South Korea
On July 5 & Baron Chang, a seasoned professional with 25 years in the IT/Tech industry, led the lecture session. Baron shared his vast experience in business analysis, execution, and global business development. Baron has founded BaronGlobal, a consulting firm providing personalized mentoring for startups focused on global expansion. As a mentor with Plug & Play and head of global business at Safeware, he leverages his vast experience, which includes C-level roles at Santa.co and Evident, investments in various startups in Silicon Valley, and founding an ICO consulting firm. During his tenure at KAKAO, he launched the world’s first mobile marketing platform and developed IoT and FinTech projects.
Dotun Olowoporoku, Early Stage VC, Kenya
Dotun Olowoporoku from Kenya engaged the audience on July 8 and 9 with his perspective on Africa’s startup ecosystem. A venture capitalist at Novastar Ventures, Dotun supports entrepreneurs tackling significant challenges in East and West Africa. Dotun is also the host of the “Building the Future” podcast, which highlights the African growth narrative through insightful one-on-one conversations with individuals who are using entrepreneurship, innovation, and thought leadership to shape the continent’s future. His discussions centered on innovative business models that enhance market access and improve the quality of essential goods and services for low-income markets.
Iskander Haouam, Mentor & Investor, Saudi Arabia
Iskander Haouam from Saudi Arabia took the stage on July 10 and 11, enlightening attendees about the Middle Eastern startup ecosystem. With over 15 years of experience in investment and entrepreneurship, Iskander has a diverse background spanning industries such as QSR, banking, telecommunications, retail, and the self-moving sector. At Namal Impact Investment Capital, he excels in product and business development strategy, customer experience, relationship management, risk management, innovation, and finance. His extensive experience in managing accelerator programs with Flat6Labs and Fintech Saudi, combined with his role in organizing hackathons, positions him as a formidable mentor.
Gang Lu, Founder, Technode, China
Rounding out the program, Gang Lu from China presented on July 12 and 15. As one of China’s leading global technology influencers and founder of TechNode Group, Gang Lu has made significant contributions to connecting China’s startup technology ecosystem with the rest of the world.
TechNode, which started as Dr. Lu’s personal blog, has become a highly respected international innovation platform. Gang Lu also co-founded BEYOND Expo, aiming to be the leading international technology and innovation expo. Gang Lu discussed the Chinese startup ecosystem, investment trends, and the growth of sectors like AI and ESG.
Exploring Global Startup Ecosystems
Throughout the online program, the mentors focused on various startup ecosystems and sectors across different countries and regions as per their expertise. Students were introduced to the dynamic world of entrepreneurship and gained insights into emerging trends, investments, and opportunities in AI, blockchain, and ESG within the U.S. startup landscape, thanks to Sunny Midha’s sessions. Ikeda Masaru’s presentations on the Japanese startup ecosystem provided valuable lessons from industry leaders and emphasized sustainable startups’ future outlook.
Tomasz Kowalczyk’s insights into the European startup ecosystem highlighted the importance of integrating cutting-edge technologies and navigating the evolving landscape of emerging technologies. Dotun Olowoporoku’s focus on Africa’s startup ecosystem offered a new perspective on running successful businesses in the region, sharing cultural nuances and innovative business models. Iskander Haouam’s extensive experience in the Middle East’s startup ecosystem provided students with strategies for product development and business innovation. Finally, Gang Lu’s discussions on the Chinese startup ecosystem and global technology trends emphasized the importance of international collaboration and innovation.
Final Evaluation and Insights
The Final Evaluation session of the Yonsei Summer School program was led by James Jung, CEO of beSUCCESS Media. Students applied their newfound knowledge from lectures with global experts in final presentations. James Jung, who founded beSUCCESS Media Group in 2012, has been instrumental in driving Korean startups’ global expansion through events like beGLOBAL Seoul and beGLOBAL Silicon Valley. He also operates ten global English media outlets and has invested in about 30 startups via the 1 Billion Partners fund.
The session culminated in an insightful Q&A session, where students learned about startup business development, global expansion, marketing, etc. This final assessment was pivotal in helping students solidify their understanding of global startup ecosystems and develop strategies for successful entrepreneurship.
The 2024 Yonsei Summer School entrepreneurship course was a resounding success, offering students a unique opportunity to learn from global experts and gain insights into the world’s leading startup ecosystems. By participating in these sessions, students broadened their understanding of global business trends and developed strategies for successful entrepreneurship.
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