Can University Technology Holding Companies Become Deep Tech Investment Platforms? Ewha Womans University Technology Holding Company and KAIA Discussion

The role of universities in connecting their technologies, talent, and ideas to actual startups and investments is becoming increasingly important. It is now time for university technology holding companies, which have traditionally focused on the technology transfer of research results, to also provide functions that support everything from company establishment and initial investment to subsequent growth. Ewha Womans University Technology Holdings and the Korea Advanced Institute of Technology (KAIA) will discuss the next roles of the university technology commercialization and early-stage investment ecosystem on August 18 at the Lee Sambong Hall in the ECC at Ewha Womans University. This event combines the 10th anniversary ceremony of Ewha Womans University Technology Holdings with the "8th KAIA Representatives Clubhouse." Approximately 100 stakeholders from the startup ecosystem, including technology holding companies, accelerators, and venture capitalists, will attend to examine the execution structure of university startups and the growth direction of the domestic startup ecosystem.

The event will be held from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. under the theme "Technology to Change the World, Entrepreneurship for All, Ewha Opening the Future." It is an occasion to review the technology commercialization, startup, and investment achievements accumulated by Ewha Womans University Technology Holdings over the past 10 years and to explore cooperation strategies to connect the university's research assets with startup companies.

Part 1, "The Past, Present, and Future of the Ewha Startup Ecosystem," begins with an opening address by Noh Tae-young, Co-CEO of Ewha Womans University Technology Holdings, and a welcome address by Lee Hyang-sook, President of Ewha Womans University. Oh Young-joo, Professor Emeritus and former Minister of SMEs and Startups, delivers a congratulatory speech, and Seo Ji-hee, Co-CEO of Ewha Womans University Technology Holdings, introduces the current status of the organization's 10th anniversary. Following this, the attendees jointly declare the "Future Vision for the Ewha Startup Ecosystem."

Part 2 covers the changing role of university technology holding companies and the next stage of the Korean startup ecosystem through two sessions. Co-CEO Seo Ji-hee will give a presentation on the topic of "The Next 10 Years of Ewha Technology Holdings: An Execution Hub for University Startups, an Ewha-style Company Builder." She is expected to present the direction for an execution organization that establishes and grows companies based on the technology, talent, and intellectual property rights possessed by the university.

In the first session, Mok Seung-hwan, Head of the Startup and Venture Innovation Office at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, will deliver a presentation on the topic of "The Great Transformation into a Startup Nation and Silicon Valley." Drawing on his experience as the CEO of Seoul National University Technology Holdings, Mr. Mok will share his perspective on connecting university technology commercialization with startup policies.

The subsequent discussion, 'The New Role of Technology Holding Companies: From University Technology Commercialization to Deep Tech Investment Platforms,' will be chaired by Co-CEO Seo Ji-hee. Director Mok Seung-hwan, Representative Park Hoon-ki of Busan United Technology Holding Company, Executive Director Kim Hoon-bae of Yonsei University Technology Holding Company, and Vice Representative Jang Eun-young of BluePoint Partners will participate as panelists to discuss the investment functions of technology holding companies and strategies for fostering deep tech firms.

In the second session, Lim Jung-wook, CEO of Startup Alliance, will give a presentation on the topic of "Expanding the Startup Ecosystem." This will be followed by a discussion titled "The Next Stage of the Korean Startup Ecosystem: Global Expansion, Impact, and Women Entrepreneurship," moderated by Gong Seong-hyun, Director of KAIA. CEO Lim Jung-wook, Antler Korea Partner Jang Jae-hee, Qnesty CEO Lee Soon-yeol, and Vivid Health CEO Cheon Ye-seul will participate to cover overseas expansion, impact investment, and the growth environment for female entrepreneurs.

The event concludes with presentations and discussions, followed by networking and dinner. Participants must be C-level executives or higher from investment institutions, including technology holding companies, accelerators, and venture capital firms. Registration is available on the event page.

Ewha Womans University Technology Holdings and KAIA plan to strengthen the foundation for cooperation in the university technology commercialization and early-stage investment ecosystem through this joint event. The challenge ahead is expected to be whether university technology holding companies can function as execution organizations that connect the birth and growth of companies, going beyond merely commercializing research results.