Outstanding startup teams from JBNU, Gwangju University, and Kunsan National University will advance to the national finals of the 'Challenge K-Startup' program, organized by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups.

JBNU, a startup-focused university in the Honam region, held the 'Startup-Centered University Honam Region Startup Club Competition' on July 14–15 with 22 startup teams from Honam universities participating. JBNU announced on July 20 that it selected three outstanding startup teams through document screening and in-person presentations.

In this competition, JBNU and six host organizations participating in the Honam regional Early Startup Package (Gwangju University, Kunsan National University, Sunchon National University, Jeonju University, Chonnam National University Technology Holding, Next Challenge) each held internal contests, and a total of 22 teams advanced to compete.

Of these, five teams that were recognized for their excellence in the document screening underwent a one-night, two-day mentoring program with senior startups to refine their business models and improve pitching skills. They also attended lectures on item development, marketing, and PPT preparation and presentation techniques, gaining the attitude and basic professional knowledge required as prospective entrepreneurs.

Following presentation evaluations, the top three teams selected were JBNU's '에너폴리켐' (team representative Lee Gyu-ha), JBNU's 'REGO' (team representative Park Seon-woo), and Kunsan National University's '유니아' (team representative Lee In-a). These teams received the JBNU President's Award, the Startup Support Center Director's Award, and prize money. They will advance to the national finals of the Challenge K-Startup program, where they will compete with startup teams from across the country.

The first-place JBNU team, 에너폴리켐, was recognized for excellence for presenting a startup item focused on the development and commercialization of ionomers and membrane electrode assemblies that can secure low cost and high durability for hydrogen fuel cells. The second-place Gwangju University REGO team advanced with a startup item that provides crowdsourcing-based driving content. The third-place Kunsan National University UNIA team earned a spot in the finals with a product development item based on applied research into bio-cellulose contained in gourd peel.

Kwon Dae-gyu, Director of JBNU's Startup Support Center, said, "We are pleased that this Honam Region Startup Club Competition provided an opportunity to discover promising prospective entrepreneurs in the region and to realize excellent startup ideas. We will continue to work harder to discover outstanding prospective entrepreneurs in the area so that entrepreneurship in the region can be further activated."