Last year, 80 startup companies participating in the JBNU Startup-Centered University project achieved notable results: total sales of KRW 132,479,800,000, secured investment of KRW 2,998,410,000, net employment of 118, and 143 intellectual property applications filed.

The JBNU Startup Support Group (Director Professor Guk Kyung-su) held the '2025 Startup-Centered University Network and Performance Exchange' at 2:00 p.m. on the 22nd, providing a forum to disseminate startup achievements and strengthen the regional startup network.

The event was organized to share the year's project operating outcomes and to explore future sustainable growth directions through final presentation evaluations, performance reviews, and networking for the 80 startup companies selected for the 2025 Startup-Centered University project.

The program included an operational progress report on the Startup-Centered University and an awards ceremony for outstanding startups. In particular, many young startups from the Jeonbuk region were selected as outstanding companies, demonstrating the effectiveness of Jeonbuk-style startup support.

Awards included three companies receiving the Jeonbuk Regional Office of SMEs and Startups Commissioner's Award, commendations for contributions to startup support, and five outstanding young companies in the Jeonbuk region chosen for the Jeonbuk Creative Economy Innovation Center CEO Award.

A flagship achievement of this year's Startup-Centered University project was the IPO (KOSDAQ listing) of NRB Co., Ltd., a tenant of the JBNU Incubation Center and a project participant. NRB achieved listing five years after its founding in 2019, attracting attention as the region's first startup to achieve a rapid listing.

At the event, a roundtable attended by the Jeonbuk Regional Office of SMEs and Startups Commissioner, the CEO of the Jeonbuk Creative Economy Innovation Center, and the head of the JBNU Startup Support Group was also held to hear on-site difficulties and to discuss cooperation among regional stakeholders and measures to link follow-up support.

Practical programs were provided to support startups' growth strategy development. These included lectures focused on fostering entrepreneurship and success cases, analyses of business opportunities arising from AI industry trends and technological changes, and guidance on financing strategies such as investment attraction, policy funds, and private capital.

JBNU stated that through this performance exchange it achieved results by strengthening startup infrastructure in the Honam region based on networking among startups, linking follow-up support projects and enhancing project operation strategies, and by systematically concluding the Startup-Centered University project while expanding its outcomes.

Professor Guk Kyung-su, Director of the JBNU Startup Support Group, said, 'This performance exchange showcased that young startups in Jeonbuk have demonstrated growth potential through tangible achievements.' He added, 'We will continue to work to foster a sustainable startup ecosystem by providing tailored support according to each growth stage and by strengthening cooperation within the region.'