□ DGIST (President Kunwoo Lee) announced that it will hold “2026 DGIST Startup Week” across its campus from Tuesday, September 8, to Friday, September 18, to mark the launch of the Innovation Startup Center, its dedicated organization for entrepreneurship. The event aims to promote a culture of entrepreneurship grounded in outstanding scientific and technological research achievements and to foster a strong entrepreneurial spirit among members of the DGIST community.
□ Startup Week is particularly significant as the first large-scale event organized by the Innovation Startup Center, which oversees DGIST’s startup support programs. DGIST has continued to strengthen its support system to help advanced deep-tech achievements—scientific and technological innovations requiring a high level of technological sophistication—move beyond the laboratory toward commercialization. Through Startup Week, DGIST aims to promote a culture of entrepreneurial challenge across the campus and throughout the region.
□ The centerpiece of the event is a series of special lectures by distinguished speakers under the theme “Entrepreneurship and Technology: How Do They Create Value for the World?” Seven venture investors and entrepreneurs who are leading startup and investment ecosystems in Korea and abroad will share practical insights into how technology can be transformed into meaningful social value.
□ The first week will begin on September 8 with “Entrepreneurship for a Better World,” a lecture by Doug Duckjun Lee, CEO of D3Jubilee Partners, followed by talks by Sung Joo (SJ) Lee, CEO of Orum Therapeutics (September 9); Dokyun Kwon, CEO of Primer (September 10); and Hyoyi Kim, CEO of INERTIA (September 11). During the second week, Yoon-mi Eom, Chairperson of the Asan Nanum Foundation (September 17); Sewoong Kim, Vice President of Kakao; and Sang Han, Partner at East Ventures (September 18) will share insights into global entrepreneurship opportunities in the era of artificial intelligence (AI).
□ Each special lecture will be followed by a luncheon meeting, providing an opportunity for speakers and students to interact directly and exchange practical advice. A variety of interactive programs have also been prepared to encourage continued participation by members of the DGIST community, including a special lecture stamp tour and a slogan contest titled “DGIST Entrepreneurship Is ○○○.” In front of Haedong Creativity Lounge, a poster exhibition will showcase key information and major achievements from 12 outstanding startups, including teams that advanced to the finals of the Startup League.
□ “It is more important than ever that the university’s outstanding research achievements do not remain confined to the laboratory but instead contribute to the creation of new industries and social value through entrepreneurship,” said DGIST President Kunwoo Lee. “With the Innovation Startup Center serving as a focal point, we will actively support bold challenges by members of the DGIST community and build a dynamic ecosystem that continuously produces innovative companies capable of competing on the global stage.”
□ Meanwhile, “2026 DGIST Startup Week” will be an open to anyone interested in entrepreneurship, including members of the DGIST community, aspiring entrepreneurs in the Daegu area, students from other universities, and representatives of related organizations. DGIST plans to continue promoting deep-tech-based technology entrepreneurship and play a pivotal role in strengthening the competitiveness of future industries at both the regional and national levels.
