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.