UNIST Office of University Industry Relations announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Gyeongsang National University (GNU) and Pukyong National University (PNU) on August 7, 2025. This partnership aims to strengthen the startup ecosystem in the southeastern region of Korea and establish a robust foundation for the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam startup hub.
As a designated regional hub for the Korea I-Corps program overseen by the Ministry of Science and ICT, UNIST will play a pivotal role in identifying cutting-edge laboratory technologies, educating prospective entrepreneurs, and operating tailored market exploration teams. This initiative is part of a broader effort to elevate the southeastern region as a leading center for innovation and startup activity.
A commemorative group photo taken after the signing of the MOU.
During the ceremony, representatives from the partner universities celebrated the occasion with a group photo and discussed future collaborative efforts. The three institutions plan to coordinate with government-supported startup programs, sharing educational resources and infrastructure to proactively discover and nurture aspiring entrepreneurs. UNIST is committed to expanding its support system beyond Ulsan to encompass the entire southeastern region, fostering a comprehensive startup support ecosystem.
Post-MOU, each university shared updates on their startup support initiatives and achievements. Discussions focused on activating local entrepreneurship to address regional challenges and fostering sustainable growth in partnership with the community.
Youngsik Kim, Director of the Office of University Industry Relations, stated, “This agreement marks the beginning of UNIST’s journey to become a leading startup hub for the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam region.” He further added, “We aim to enhance our full-cycle startup support system and establish ourselves as a key institution driving regional innovation.”
The Office of University Industry Relations at UNIST has also been actively building an ultra-regional startup network. In July, it signed MOUs with Daegu Catholic University, Gyeongbuk Gyeongsan Institute of Industry-University Convergence, and Kyungil University, and is in the process of collaborating with Daegu University on the Startup Hub University Project in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk region.
