Entrepreneurship

On October 1, 2024, the Student Entrepreneurship Team expanded and reorganized into the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Team.

POSTECH

Innovation and
Entrepreneurship

We now provide comprehensive support, extending our assistance to faculty members and researchers interested in starting technology-based ventures from their labs. Our university's unique student entrepreneurship programs will continue to operate, so we encourage your ongoing interest and participation!View Innovation and Entrepreneurship Team

* The tracks serve as recommended guidelines based on the stages of entrepreneurship, and all programs operated by the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Team are open to all POSTECH members.

* For more details, please refer to the descriptions of each program in the brochure. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the POSTECH Innovation and Entrepreneurship Team at any time.

Recommended guidelines based on the stages of entrepreneurship
Type	Motivation	Understanding Startups	Idea Discovery and Refinement	Post-Growth Support
Undergraduate	Startup Seminar Student-led Programs (APGC-Lab & Tech-Review)	Entrepreneur Competency Training JTBD+ Camp	Pohang Startup Club Undergraduate Startup Program Online and Offline Mentoring POSTECH Startup Competition	Corporate Establishment Assistance Post-Growth Support International Startup Expositions
Graduate	Startup Seminar Student-led Programs (APGC-Lab & Tech-Review)	Entrepreneur Competency Training Domestic and International Market Research Training (I-Corps) JTBD+ Camp	Pohang Startup Club Online and Offline Mentoring POSTECH Startup Competition
Faculty and Staff	Startup Seminar	-	Pohang Startup Club Online and Offline Mentoring

POSTECH Innovation and Entrepreneurship Team FAQ

Q.I'm curious if my research can be commercialized.
We offer tailored consultations and on-site briefings to explore the commercialization of research outputs. This includes expert advice, educational support, and funding to facilitate technology commercialization.
- JTBD-ODI Innovation Camp
- Expert Mentoring
Q.I want to connect with people interested in startups.
Join POSTECH's startup community Partners, participate in inter-university startup exchange events like the University Startup Community Exchange and the Intercollegiate Startup Camp, or network with entrepreneurial alumni at the POSTECH Startup Networking Day.
- Partners
- Startup Community Exchange
- Networking Day
- Intercollegiate Startup Camp
Q.I'm interested in startups but don't know where to begin.
Unsure how to start your entrepreneurial journey?
The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Team offers personalized coordination to match you with the right programs for each stage of your startup journey.
- Ideathon
- Startup Seminars
- Entrepreneurial Training
- Mentoring by Founders

Startup-related dual appointments Procedures

STEP 01
Submit a startup application to the Department Administration Team

Founder
- Submit the startup application form, startup application summary, business plan, financial contribution plan, and startup leave of absence/dual appointment request form.
If the part-time involvement exceeds 10% of working hours (approximately 8 hours per week), submit the relevant documents after prior consultation with the Office of Faculty Affairs.
STEP 02
Review by the Department Personnel Committee

Department Administration Team
- Determine whether you are eligible for an entrepreneurial leave of absence or dual appointments, and confirm how your department will manage any resulting responsibilities.
STEP 03
Review by the Research Industry Relations Committee

Innovation and Entrepreneurship Team
- Review the feasibility of the business plan, eligibility for licensing university technology, conflict-of-interest matters, and other startup-related concerns.
STEP 04
Agreement Signing

FounderInnovation and Entrepreneurship Team
- Sign the startup agreement within 15 days of approval.
  (Including matters such as the use of university technology, university facilities, financial plans, and other startup-related requirements.)
STEP 05
Company Establishment

Founder
- Establish the company within one year of signing the startup agreement.
- After establishment, submit the business registration certificate to the Startup Support Team.
STEP 06
Fulfillment of Obligations

FounderDepartment Administration TeamExternal Relations and Communications Team
- Within one month of the startup, sign a technology transfer agreement and complete equity donation.

Startup Status

Participants in startup seminars Performance

2,234
Participants in student-led startup programs Performance

808
Billion KRW raised by POSTECH alumni startups Performance

193billion KRW
Preliminary startup teams formed at POSTECH Performance

135 teams
Jobs created by POSTECH alumni startups Performance

106

* As of 2020~2023

Startup Academic Policies
Faculty and Staff Startup Regulations

Bachelor's Degree Entrepreneurship Regulations

Type

Relevant Provisions

Startup Leave of Absence Policy
(Academic Regulations Article 23 / Academic Operational Guidelines)

General leaves of absence for startups, as well as those for pregnancy, childbirth, or childcare, may be extended for up to four additional semesters.
In cases of illness or other unavoidable circumstances, the President may grant additional leave beyond what is outlined in Article 2 and Article 3.

II-1-a. Types of Leave

General Leave: Granted for reasons such as the establishment of a corporation (startup), illness, pregnancy, childbirth, childcare, or other unavoidable circumstances

II-1-b. Leave Procedure

A general leave for startups (corporate establishment) is granted only if the applicant is registered as a corporate representative (including co-representative) or as an internal director.
The applicant must submit the required documents, including the business registration certificate, corporate registration, corporate seal certificate, and shareholder list.
Approval must be obtained from the academic advisor and the department chair, followed by final authorization from the President.

Startup Credit Substitution Program
(Academic Operational Guidelines, V-3: Recognized Credits for Practical Training Courses)

Startup Credit Substitution Program (Academic Operational Guidelines, V-3: Recognized Credits for Practical Training Courses)
Course Title	Grade	Type	Notes
Startup Field Training	S/U	Credit	1 to 12 credits 1 credit per 120 hours per semester Up to 4 graduation credits (separate from internship programs)
Startup Practice	S/U	Credit

Startup Credit Exchange Program
(Academic Regulations Article 51)

Credits earned at other domestic or international universities may be recognized under the following conditions.
Credits earned at other domestic universities with which POSTECH has signed academic exchange agreements.

Faculty and Staff Startup Regulations
Type	Relevant Provisions
Definition of Faculty and Staff Startups (Startup Regulations, Article 3)	‘Faculty and Staff’ refers to all full-time faculty, non-full-time faculty, and researchers affiliated with the university. ‘Faculty and Staff Startup’ refers to the establishment of a small or venture enterprise utilizing university-owned technology (including technology or know-how developed during employment or by others) while employed or on leave. Establishment includes serving as a company’s representative or executive (excluding outside directors, non-standing directors, and auditors) or owning more than 50% of voting shares in a small or venture enterprise established by a third party.
Eligibility for Startups (Startup Regulations, Article 4)	Full-time faculty with at least 3 years of service. Non-full-time faculty and researchers with at least 6 months of service. Exceptions can be made with the president's approval if the startup is deemed significantly beneficial to the university.
Startup Period (Startup Regulations, Article 4)	Full-time faculty: Up to 3 years of leave and 1 year of concurrent employment, not exceeding a total of 4 years. Extensions of up to 3 additional years can be granted with departmental and committee approval. Non-full-time faculty and researchers: Up to 1 year of concurrent employment, extendable with contract renewal and departmental and committee approval.
Startup Approval (Startup Regulations, Article 6)	Faculty and staff granted startup approval must transfer university-owned technology within one month. Failure to do so may result in approval cancellation. Applications must be reviewed by department heads and committees, followed by final approval from the university president. Department heads can attach opinions to the review, and committees must consider feedback from both department heads and applicants. The committee must respond to issues raised and maintain records of their decisions.
Financial Contributions by Faculty and Staff Entrepreneurs (Startup Regulations, Article 7)	Faculty and staff entrepreneurs must fulfill one of the following financial contributions to the university Transfer shares equivalent to KRW 2.5 million par value (5% of capital based on KRW 50 million) within one month of startup. Provide 1.5% of the total issued shares upon IPO or M&A. Transfer shares equivalent to KRW 1 million par value (2% of capital based on KRW 50 million) within one month, plus: - KRW 100 million upon achieving cumulative sales of KRW 10 billion, / KRW 200 million upon achieving KRW 30 billion, / KRW 200 million upon achieving KRW 50 billion (total of KRW 500 million).
Duties of Faculty and Staff Entrepreneurs (Startup Regulations, Articles 11-13)	Faculty and staff must ensure their entrepreneurial activities do not disrupt departmental operations. Faculty entrepreneurs are prohibited from involving students in their startups. The university may request specific documents from entrepreneurs, and they must comply unless the information could jeopardize the company's viability.

최종수정일: Last Updated Date: February 25, 2025

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