Understanding Startup Investment Contracts from the Other Side – Entrepreneurship Academy Lecture by Attorney Joongil Cho      The Entrepreneurship Academy lecture hosted by the Korea University Business School Startup ㄴStation was held on Tuesday, May 13, in the KOLON Lecture Room (Room B307) of Hyundai Motor Hall. The lecture, titled “Startup Investment Contracts – Understanding from the Other Side,” was delivered by Joongil Cho, a partner attorney at SHIN & KIM LLC and an expert in corporate law and transaction structure design. He also serves as a member of the Venture and Startup Legal Support Special Committee of the Korean Bar Association.    The lecture was based on real-life advisory cases, focusing on the key aspects of investment contract structures that entrepreneurs must understand and how to approach contracts from an investor’s perspective. “Why is the investor asking for this clause? You must be able to ask yourself that question.” said Cho, emphasizing throughout his talk that understanding ‘the investor’s logic’ is the foundation of any negotiation.      He cited common clauses frequently found in investment contracts—such as △non-compete agreements, △stock option restrictions, △limitations on the issuance of new shares, and △mandatory dividend provisions—emphasizing that “understanding the structure and underlying logic of the contract is more important than the specific wording.”  Cho also pointed out that “When founders are overly focused on securing investment, they tend to overlook important details,” and stressed the importance of thorough due diligence prior to signing. He advised entrepreneurs to examine whether △trade secrets are sufficiently protected, △the terms violate any existing agreements, △the founder is being exposed to excessive personal liability, and △the investor’s commitment to the deal is genuine.    Drawing on his extensive advisory experience—from M&A cases involving major Korean platform companies such as Kakao, Netmarble, and NAVER to early-stage startups like SEMIFIVE and B GARAGE—Cho outlined common pitfalls that founding teams often overlook in investment contracts. He concluded the lecture by emphasizing, “It’s critical to clearly and convincingly communicate to investors what you want—and why you need it.”      A student currently preparing to launch a startup shared their thoughts, saying, “It was a valuable opportunity to revisit the contract process from the investor’s perspective, rather than solely from the standpoint of a startup.” The student added, “It gave me a clearer sense of which elements need to be negotiated in real investment discussions.”  The Entrepreneurship Academy is a special lecture series planned and operated by the Startup Institute of Korea University Business School. It aims to provide aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs with practical insights by inviting seasoned founders and industry experts with hands-on experience.  Korea University Business School will continue to support the growth of student entrepreneurs and enhance its connection with the startup ecosystem through a variety of ongoing programs. 

KUBS Carves Its Name on the Global Stage: 1st Runner-Up at 2025 UW GBCC      Students from Korea University Business School (KUBS) demonstrated their outstanding problem-solving and presentation skills on the global stage by securing 1st Runner-Up in the Long Case division at the 2025 Global Business Case Competition (UW GBCC), held at the University of Washington in April.  The UW GBCC is a prestigious international business case competition where top business students from around the world are challenged to develop strategic solutions to real-world business problems within a limited time frame. The competition is renowned for testing analytical thinking, strategic creativity, and communication skills under pressure.  Representing KUBS were four students: Junhee Park (Class of ’22), Seoyeon Ko (’22), Oscar Javier Castillo Vazquez (’22), and Seokjun Oh (’21). The team was mentored by Professor Tony Garrett, a specialist in marketing.      The competition consisted of two parts—a 5-hour Short Case and a 24-hour Long Case. Junhee Park participated individually in the Short Case, clinching first place in a multinational team. For the Long Case, the full KUBS team tackled the challenge of devising a revitalization strategy for Starbucks China. Their proposal included:  Implementing a low-cost operational model,  Introducing regionally tailored store formats, and  Forming strategic partnerships for digital transformation.  Their solution was praised by the judging panel for its strategic insight and feasibility.  To celebrate the achievement, Dean Eonsoo Kim of KUBS hosted the team on May 13 at the Dean’s Office. Dean Kim congratulated the students for their effort and emphasized the significance of institutional support in creating such learning opportunities.      “This achievement is not only a reflection of the students' talent but also the result of the learning environment and opportunities KUBS has consistently nurtured. We will continue to support our students to challenge themselves and grow globally,” said Dean Kim.    Professor Tony Garrett commented:  “The students delivered a compelling and well-analyzed presentation within the limited time. It was an impressive demonstration of critical thinking and teamwork that resonates on the global stage.”    [Reflections from the Team]  Junhee Park (Team Leader)  “This experience allowed me to grow by transforming business challenges into practical strategies. Leading the team and working on both the storyline and strategic direction was incredibly rewarding. Winning the 5-hour Short Case with an international team was also an unforgettable moment. Although we missed the grand prize, being invited to present again in front of Starbucks executives at their headquarters was a huge honor. I'm truly grateful to KUBS and Professor Garrett.”   Seoyeon Ko  “Applying what I learned in class to real-world problems was a fulfilling and enjoyable experience. Competing with students from various countries was a great stimulus. I focused on validating our strategy through deep analysis, which broadened my industry understanding. I'm deeply thankful to the International Affairs Office and our mentor for making this possible.”    Oscar Javier Castillo Vazquez  “I’m thrilled that our five weeks of intense preparation with teammates and our professor paid off. Being invited to present to 150 Starbucks executives was an especially meaningful moment. This wasn’t just a competition—it was a learning journey in business strategy and marketing that helped shape my career direction.”    Seokjun Oh  “My passion for business strategy began with KUBS Challenge in my freshman year and has grown through several competitions. This one stood out—we prepared like it was the real world, often working through the night. The intense preparation and discussions will stay with me long after graduation. I’m truly thankful to the KUBS International Affairs Office and my teammates. Go KUBS!” 

A Heartwarming Gathering Across Generations – KUBS Hosts ‘Faculty Appreciation and Reunion Day’      On Wednesday, May 14, Korea University Business School (KUBS) held the ‘KUBS Faculty Appreciation and Reunion Day’ at Young-Il Ahn Hall on the 6th floor of LG-POSCO Hall. The event was organized to express gratitude to senior faculty members who have devoted themselves to the school’s development over the years and to foster communication and camaraderie among professors across generations.    A total of 11 former professors and over 60 current faculty members attended, creating a warm and intergenerational atmosphere. Professors gathered to reconnect, share memories, and reflect on the past, present, and future of KUBS. The attending senior faculty included △ Ho Jin Kang, △ Wan-Soon Kim, △ Ick-Soo Kim, and △ Jang Rho Lee (Global Business), △ Hyoung Koo Moon, △ soosik Shin, and △ Jin Kyu Lee (Management), △ Joon Yong Shin, △ Kwan hee Yoo, △ Manwoo Lee (Accounting), and △ Young-Sup Yun (Finance).      In the opening ceremony, Dean Eonsoo Kim stated, “KUBS owes its current standing to the deep dedication and passion of our senior faculty. We are committed to carrying on that spirit and striving for academic and educational advancement.” He also highlighted recent accomplishments, saying, “KUBS has achieved remarkable results in the latest QS rankings, placing in the top 40 globally in ‘Marketing’, ‘Business & Management Studies’, and ‘Accounting & Finance’, and we will continue to work diligently to improve.”    Representing the former faculty, Professor Wan-Soon Kim delivered a greeting, stating, “KUBS has continuously evolved, but at the core has always been the devotion of our professors. I am deeply grateful to the junior faculty and KUBS for organizing this event.” He added, “Today, my son is here with me, and my entire family graduated from Korea University. I take great pride in saying Korea University is the best university in Korea.”      During the luncheon, Professor soosik Sin offered a toast, wishing for the continued honor and prestige of KUBS, as well as the health and scholarly growth of all attendees. He also presented one of his authored books as a gift to a professor couple, sharing a heartfelt gesture.    As the final part of the event, commemorative gifts were presented to the senior professors in appreciation of their service. Following the ceremony, the retired faculty visited the newly established faculty office in Room 525 of LG-POSCO Hall, where they witnessed firsthand the ongoing transformation and advancement of KUBS.      KUBS plans to continue expanding opportunities for intergenerational academic bonding and meaningful dialogue among faculty members through similar gatherings in the future. 

Debut Stage for Rookie Entrepreneurs – 2025 Spring CHOO CHOO Day Successfully Held      The 2025 Spring CHOO CHOO Day, a student startup demo day hosted by the Korea University Business School Startup Station, was held on Friday, May 9, in the Global Conference Hall on B1 of the Centennial Memorial Samsung Hall.  The event took the form of a demo day, where five rookie startup teams currently participating in the Startup Institute’s incubation program presented their progress, and shared the vision and potential of their ventures. Each team introduced their business ideas, go-to-market strategies, and future plans, gaining valuable, hands-on feedback from the audience.      The following five teams participated in Choo Choo Day , each showcasing their innovative startup idea: △ MARKWORKS: An AI-powered patent filing solution designed for patent attorneys, offering product similarity assessment and proactive search capabilities. △ NAWA: ‘CUPGGIRI’, a smart cup solution that automatically washes, dries, compresses, and collects cups, △ ATLO: ‘Ditto’, a personalized AI companion you can talk to anytime, anywhere, △ Live-Lively: ‘NoriCare’, a healthcare solution for managing chronic conditions in seniors, △ PEEKABOOLABS: ‘Carve’, an on-device AI solution that automatically optimizes system performance.    The event began with opening remarks by Youngkyung Kim, Director of the Iljin Center for Startup Incubation, who noted, “Today marks the moment when these well-prepared graduating startups declare their readiness to take off like rockets,” emphasizing the significance of CHOO CHOO Day.    Dae Il Nam, Vice Dean of Korea University Business School, delivered a welcome address, stating, “Today is not merely a presentation, but a stage to demonstrate your potential for the future.” He went on to encourage the participants, saying, “The journey of challenge, failure, and rising again will make each of you stronger.”      During the Open Mic session, Kwangsik Yoon, CEO of DONGJOO., that operates ‘SPINNOFF’—an AI-based team-building solution for creating novel comics—shared advice, saying, “If you have the reason why you started, a good grasp of market trends, and trustworthy teammates, your startup’s direction will naturally form.”    The event continued with five-minute pitches and eight-minute Q&A sessions for each team. The panelists included Eunwoo Park (Partner, MASHUP VENTURES), Ino Jung (Team Lead, POSTECH HOLDINGS), Hakyeong Kim (CEO, ZDVC), Ukjin Kwon (Principal, PRIMER SAZZE), and Minhong Jang (Advisor, BASS VENTURES), who offered sharp questions and practical advice while carefully evaluating the teams' potential.      The event concluded with closing remarks by Joon Ho Hwang, Director of the Startup Station, who said, “I could truly feel the spirit of youth, innovation, and challenge today,” adding, “I hope CHOO CHOO Day continues to support the growth of innovative startups and serves as a catalyst for revitalizing the economy.”    Korea University Business School’s Startup Station organizes CHOO CHOO Day each semester to provide young entrepreneurs with real startup experience and opportunities for network building. The institute plans to continue expanding various programs to support the growth of startups with innovative ideas and execution capabilities. 

Walking the Campus, Envisioning the Future: 2025 KUBS Regular Campus Tour and Youth Day      On Saturday, May 17, Korea University Business School (KUBS) hosted the “2025 KUBS Regular Campus Tour and Youth Day” on its campus. The event welcomed approximately 100 high school students from across the country, offering them a glimpse into real college life and in-depth insights into business studies. The program was organized and led by KUBE, the official student ambassadors of KUBS, who shared their personal university experiences and perspectives.  The program consisted of △an opening ceremony, △About KUBS (an introduction to the business school and its majors), △a group photo session, △a student transition period and break, △a campus tour, △a mentoring session with enrolled students, and △a closing ceremony.      During the opening ceremony, Associate Dean Hyun Seung Na warmly welcomed the students, saying, “I sincerely thank you for taking the time and effort to be here today. I hope this experience helps you understand why business studies are essential to society and inspires greater motivation.” He especially acknowledged participants who traveled long distances from cities such as Changwon and Busan, adding, “As a small token of appreciation, we will gift Korea University tiger plushies to those who came from the farthest regions.”  The remark was met with enthusiastic applause and cheers from the audience.      The event was emceed by KUBE President Ujin Shin and Vice President Minji Kang. During the About KUBS session, ambassadors Junseok Hong and Chaewoo Lee introduced the business school, followed by Sihoon Moon and Dajin Kim, who presented an engaging overview of the school’s nine academic concentrations.  They highlighted KUBS’s reputation as the top producer of certified public accountants (CPAs) in Korea and its global learning environment, supported by 90 full-time professors and over 61.2% of classes conducted in English. To make the content more relatable, the ambassadors used the example of ramen — covering its production, distribution, and marketing — to explain business specializations in a fun and accessible way. A final quiz session added to the excitement, with small prizes awarded to students who answered correctly.      Following the group photo, students were divided into teams and gathered in lecture rooms at Hyundai Motor Hall. Each group, guided by KUBE ambassadors, embarked on a campus tour that included key business facilities — LG-POSCO Hall, Hyundai Motor Hall, and the Main Building — as well as notable locations on the Humanities and Social Sciences Campus such as the Centennial Memorial Samsung Hall, SK Future Hall, and the underground facilities beneath Central Plaza. Students took commemorative group photos at each stop, creating lasting memories.      The mentoring session that followed provided an open space for questions on admissions, academics, and university life. When asked about study strategies, ambassador Chaewoo Lee shared, “Understanding the test maker’s intent is key to performing well on school exams. I used vacation periods to prepare for the Korean SAT and focused on school grades during the semester to maintain balance.”  The ambassadors also introduced diverse career paths including CPA preparation, the Public Officer Qualification Exam, and launching a startup, offering practical insights and motivation to participants as they explore their future academic and career goals.      One student shared, “I was unsure about my future, but today sparked my interest in business. Now I’m dreaming of entering Korea University and becoming a member of KUBE.”      The KUBS Regular Campus Tour and Youth Day has evolved into more than just a campus visit — it offers meaningful, hands-on experiences that help students envision their academic journey and future careers. Held twice annually in May and November, the next Youth Mentoring Day, providing deeper insights into business education, is scheduled for July. Applications will open in June via the official KUBE website. 

CEMS (KUBS Member School) Corporate Partner Survey Results Released  "Professionalism and business acumen alone will not be enough for leadership success after 2030"      The Global Alliance in Management Education, CEMS, of which Korea University Business School (KUBS) is a member, has released research findings conducted in collaboration with 20 multinational corporate partners, revealing a fundamental shift in the core competencies required for successful leadership beyond 2030.  The study was based on interviews with HR and leadership professionals from the 20 CEMS partner companies. While technical expertise and business acumen remain important, there was broad consensus that future leaders must be more human-centric, culturally agile, and entrepreneurial.  CEMS corporate partners have identified five core competencies that will be essential for next-generation leaders in the post-2030 era:  1. Fusion of Analytical Skills and Creativity  Future leaders must go beyond simply interpreting data—they must be able to synthesize complex information, derive strategic decisions, and combine analytical rigor with creative thinking that cannot be replicated by automation or AI.  2. Entrepreneurial Mindset  An entrepreneurial mindset involves the ability to challenge conventional business models, embrace change, and drive purpose-driven innovation. This adaptive and proactive approach is increasingly seen as critical for leadership in a rapidly evolving environment.  3. Cultural Intelligence (CQ)  The ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with teams from diverse cultural backgrounds is emerging as a key determinant of global leadership success. Cultural agility is essential in navigating multicultural teams and global business contexts.  4. Combination of Subject-Matter Expertise and Strategic Business Insight  Future leaders must go beyond general management knowledge. A deep understanding of specific industries—combined with the ability to integrate that expertise into strategic perspectives—will be a key differentiator in driving business success.  5. Digital Agility  While future leaders are not expected to be digital specialists, they must possess a keen awareness of major digital trends and data analytics. Equally important is the ability to bridge communication between technical and business teams to guide effective decision-making.  These competencies underscore the growing importance of human-centered qualities in future leadership. Essential attributes for next-generation leaders now include resilience, adaptability, humility, emotional intelligence, value-driven decision-making, and a strong commitment to physical and mental well-being—as well as to sustainability  Jonathan von Gutzeit, Head of Talent Experience at Lufthansa Group—one of the companies that participated in the research—remarked that “the next generation of leaders must be more than just capable.” He identified ambition, responsibility, and empathy as essential qualities, and added that future leaders should be able to “pioneer new markets through strategic thinking, innovation, and customer-centricity, while cultivating inclusive and empowering organizational cultures.”  Nicolas Barbier of BNP Paribas Portugal also underscored the importance of flexibility, global awareness, and a collaborative mindset. He noted that “those who can think flexibly in rapidly changing environments, adapt well to global organizations encompassing diverse nationalities and cultures, and co-create within teams are the ones who will grow into effective leaders.”      CEMS is a global alliance in international management education, active across six continents and comprising 33 leading business schools, more than 70 multinational companies, and 8 NGOs. Together, they jointly operate the CEMS Master in International Management (MIM) program, which produces over 1,300 graduates each year. Notably, the CEMS MIM was ranked 10th out of 206 programs worldwide in the 2025 QS Master’s in Management Rankings, reaffirming its position among the world’s top programs.  Korea University Business School, the only CEMS member school in South Korea, operates the CEMS Global MIM program and is dedicated to cultivating the next generation of global leaders through a practice-oriented international curriculum that includes overseas study, internships, and corporate projects.  The five core competencies identified by CEMS—△the fusion of analytical skills and creativity, △an entrepreneurial mindset, △cultural intelligence, △the combination of expertise and strategic business insight, and △digital agility—are closely aligned with the educational philosophy of Korea University Business School (KUBS).  Looking ahead, KUBS will further strengthen its integrated leadership education, encompassing interdisciplinary themes such as AI, ESG, multicultural management, and human-centered design. Through robust support across education, research, and industry-academia collaboration, the school is committed to fostering authentic and sustainable global leaders capable of creating meaningful value on the international stage.