Through support from Jeonbuk National University (JBNU)’s Startup Support Center and the Business Incubator, companies that have grown into competitive small and medium-sized enterprises with global competitiveness have made generous donations to the university and the local community. NRB Co., Ltd. (CEO Kang Geon-woo) donated KRW 20 million, and MSEng Co., Ltd. (CEO Seo Jong-yoon) donated in-kind goods worth KRW 12 million to the university development fund.

In particular, Seo Jong-yoon, CEO of MSEng Co., Ltd., a promising SME in the Saemangeum National Industrial Complex and the recipient of the 2025 Minister of SMEs and Startups Award for Regional Development, continues to show support for the university. Following his KRW 10 million donation to the university development fund last year, he donated an in-kind open smoking booth (M4 model) incorporating the company’s latest technology this year and pledged to additionally install a closed smoking booth (M8 model) by February next year.

JBNU held a donation ceremony for the university development fund at 4:00 p.m. on December 30, inviting CEOs Kang Geon-woo and Seo Jong-yoon to express gratitude for their generous contributions. The ceremony was significant as it demonstrated a "virtuous cycle of entrepreneurship" model in which companies that succeeded with the university's startup support give back their achievements to the university.

Kang Geon-woo, CEO of NRB Co., Ltd., which leads the domestic off-site construction (OSC) industry and recently achieved a listing on the KOSDAQ, expressed his gratitude to the university that served as a beacon during the company's early startup stage and presented the development fund. Since its founding in 2019, Kang has grown the company with support from JBNU's Business Incubator, and through this donation further strengthened the partnership with the university.

Kang said, "In the early, uncertain days of our business, if it had not been for the hands-on training and support from JBNU's Business Incubator, NRB as it exists today would not be here," and added, "I hope this donation will serve as a catalyst to protect the futures of younger colleagues so that none have to give up their dreams because of financial hardship." 

Seo said, "I am pleased to give back the various benefits I received from the university," adding, "I hope the donated booths will help establish a pleasant campus culture where smokers and non-smokers coexist."

At the donation ceremony, President Yang Oh-bong presented plaques of appreciation, on behalf of the university community, to the two company CEOs for their contributions to the university's development.

President Yang said, "The sight of companies that grew through the university's startup support system extending a helping hand to the next generation will serve as a great example to our students," and added, "We will honor the intent of the two CEOs' donations and build a university that soars together with the local community."