CHOO CHOO Cohort 20 Signals the Start of a New Startup Journey

The orientation for new resident companies of CHOO CHOO Cohort 20 was held on Tuesday, January 6, at The STAGE (Room 201) in the KUBS Main Building. The orientation brought together nine teams newly joining Startup Station, who received an overview of the residency program and guidance on startup life at the station. 

The nine teams selected through the 2025 Startup Express Winter Season include: 
△Pearing, an AI- and SaaS-based platform that improves special education administration; 
△ SnapScale, a vertical LLM–based chemical process design automation solution; 
△ Jo & An, an AI-powered end-to-end (E2E) self-guided travel solution; 
△ Playlab, an AI-based service that automates the entire seeding marketing process; 
△ Daily Compound, an AI-powered self-guided tour service; 
△ Hintefe (Humanproof), a mobile bespoke jewelry workshop powered by AI tutors; 
△ Machinery Republic, an AX-based industrial machinery trading service; 
△ Lococo, a global K-beauty retail platform operating both online and offline; and 
△ Achiva, a social networking platform for sharing personal achievements. 

These teams will move forward together with Startup Station as members of CHOO CHOO Cohort 20.

The event opened with a welcome address by Joon Ho Hwang, Director of the KUBS Startup Station. Director Hwang remarked, “Entrepreneurship is a journey that is difficult to undertake alone,” adding, “I hope that everyone gathered here will share their experiences and challenges, grow together, and create meaningful outcomes.”

This was followed by a session in which representatives of each resident company introduced their teams and shared their impressions of joining the station. The representatives expressed their expectations for the residency and their desire to build a community that fosters positive synergy through collaboration and networking. 

A representative from Daily Compound shared their aspirations, stating, “As our service is an enterprise B2B tool, there is much we hope to learn by exchanging ideas with others. We look forward to growing together by supporting one another.” A representative from Machinery Republic also commented, “It is an honor to be alongside such outstanding teams. I hope to learn a great deal from the other teams.” 

This was followed by Young Kyung Kim, Director of the Iljin Center for Startup Incubation, who outlined the mentoring framework for resident companies. Director Kim remarked, “Warren Buffett once described his relationship with Benjamin Graham as one of companions who grow together,” adding, “I hope our resident companies will also build relationships with their mentors in which they can grow together.” He continued, “We will provide practical support in establishing essential systems, including contract drafting and financial management.” 

The mentoring program consists of Station Meetings, where resident companies present their business progress on a bimonthly basis, and On-Demand Mentoring, which can be requested whenever assistance is needed. Director Kim emphasized, “We aim to foster a mentoring environment where participants can communicate openly and engage in free discussion.” 

Following the orientation, teams were assigned seating within the Iljin Center for Startup Incubation. The event concluded with a luncheon meeting, providing an opportunity for team members and Startup Station staff to connect and exchange ideas. 

KUBS Startup Station supports young entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds in realizing entrepreneurship and innovation through sharing and collaboration. Teams selected through the Startup Station residency program, Startup Express, are eligible for six months of rent-free residency at the Iljin Center for Startup Incubation. 

Resident companies also receive practical, hands-on training that spans both theory and application through Startup Essential, an onboarding education program for newly admitted teams, delivered by startup and industry experts. 

Through this orientation, the CHOO CHOO Cohort 20 teams officially began their journey at KUBS Startup Station, fully prepared to take on new challenges ahead.