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ABOUT
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WHAT IS YOUR
NEXT CHALLENGE?

Next Challenge, a global accelerator foundation that leads the public-private governance of the startup ecosystem, builds a future startup city by nurturing innovative startup talent by strengthening the startup education ecosystem, accelerating domestic and foreign startups through company buildings, and strengthening the network of startup ecosystem stakeholders. We are carrying out various businesses for this purpose.

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NEXT CHALLENGE HISTORY

2024.11

베트남Top 10 IT 회사 VTI Group 업무협약(MOU)체결
MOU. with VTI Group, Top 10 ICT Company in Vietnam

2023. 09

UN CITYNET (UN affiliated organization Citynet) MOU

2023. 06

Kyobo Life Insurance selected as an in-house venture fostering open innovation partner

2023. 05

2023 Global Startup Builder Summit held by government start-up support organizations in 9 ASEAN countries

2023. 05

Cambodian government Khmer Enterprise and Techo Startup Center joint MOU

2023. 05

Joint MOU with Ateneo de Manila University of the Philippines

2023. 05

Joint MOU with Indonesia Institut Teknologi Bandung (Bandung Institute of Technology)

2023. 05

Joint MOU with Indonesian Government Gerakan National 1000 Startup Digital (1000 Startup Digital)

2023. 05

Joint MOU with Laos Government Laos ICT and Digital Association

2023. 05

Joint MOU with National University of Laos

2023. 05

Joint MOU with Sigapore University of Social Sciences, Singapore

2023. 05

Joint MOU with Singapore Reactor Group

2023. 05

Joint MOU with Sunway Innovation Lab at Sunway University in Malaysia

2023. 05

Joint MOU with Thai government Digital Economy Promotion Agency

2023. 05

Joint MOU with Vietnam Government National Innovation Center

2023. 05

Joint MOU with VinUniversity, Vietnam

2023. 05

Malaysian Government MRANTI (Malaysian Technology and Innovation Research Accelerator) MOU

2023. 05

Philippine government DOST-PCIEERD joint MOU

2023. 03

Selected as the host organization for Google Play’s global collaboration ‘ChangGoo'

December 2021

Vietnam Next Challenge Co., Ltd._(VN) established local branch in Hanoi

December 2020

Next Challenge Ventures Co., Ltd._Establishment of local corporation in Bangkok, Thailand

December 2020

Establishment of NCA, a foundation incorporated by the Incheon Regional Venture Business Administration

December 2020

MOU with Future Stream Networks Co., Ltd. (listed company), a Korean global media company

2023. 02

MOU with Fullerton City, Orange County, California, USA

2023. 01

VTC Online MOU, a state-owned enterprise under the Vietnamese Ministry of Information and Communication

2023. 01

Next Challenge Ventures Co., Ltd._Establishment of local corporation in Singapore

2022. 07

France Paris Saint-Germain Academy Korea MOU

2022. 06

China HKTDC (Hong Kong Trade Development Department) MOU

2022. 06

MOU with LA FRENCH TECH, a French government affiliated organization

2022. 06

Thailand TVCA (Venture Capital Association) MOU

2021. 06

Korea KAIST Business School MOU

2021. 01

Selected as Isu Group’s in-house venture fostering open innovation partner

2020. 03

Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Selected as host organization

2020. 02

Korean Bar Association (Labor Lawyers Association) MOU

2019. 09

MOU with 14 university base engineering education centers

2019. 04

[Youth Entrepreneurship Academy_Seoul] selected as the host organization

2019. 03

Startup Bay anchor institution in Seogwipo-si, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province

2019. 01

Establishment of Next Challenge, a foundation incorporated by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups

He is a modern-day Da Vinci who embraces the secrets of history, leaves a legacy in architecture, and sets out into the unknown world in search of the wings of technology.

He has earned the nickname of 'Yuval Harari of the startup ecosystem' for his irreplaceable vision of predicting the future ahead of others and building a startup ecosystem. He founded the Next Challenge, a national accelerator foundation representing the Republic of Korea, and is dedicated to designing the future of the startup nation by comprehensively designing startup fostering and entrepreneurship education design, and is currently vividly capturing the challenges and innovations of ASEAN, which is racing toward the singularity of human civilization.
He graduated from Handong University (Business Administration) and Sogang University Graduate School of Technology Management, and completed the doctoral program in management consulting at Hanyang University. He served as a professor at Hanyang University's Global Entrepreneurship Center for 7 years, and is currently the Vice President of the Venture Business Association and the Head of Global Collaboration at Google Play's 'Changgu', Intel AI, Thales, and L'Oréal, and was selected as an 'Honorary Citizen of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province' for his contribution to the development of Seogwipo-si, Jeju as a startup city. He gives more than 100 lectures a year at Harvard University, MIT, Sebasi, large corporations, and government agencies, inspiring young people and startup entrepreneurs.
With a philosophy rooted in '運鈍根', he has been promoting the establishment of startup high schools and universities for the future of the Republic of Korea. He has written nine books, including the best-selling "The Mutant Wolf" (2022 Ministry of National Defense Jinjung Library), "Attack on Wolf" (2022 Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism recommended book), and "Unknown Wolf" (2025), conveying the author's unique thoughts and insights to the world.
Representative experience
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Youngrok Kim
CEO
Education
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Graduated from Handong University, Department of Business Administration
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Master's degree from Sogang University Graduate School of Management of Technology (MOT)
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Hanyang University Graduate School of Business Consulting, Gyeongsangbuk-do Graduate School, Doctoral Completion
Career activities
CEO of Next Challenge Foundation (Ministry in charge: Ministry of SMEs and Startups)
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CEO of Next Challenge Asia Foundation (Ministry in Charge: Incheon Regional Office of Small and Medium Venture Business)
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​Next Challenge Ventures Co., Ltd. Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand General Manager
Current, Google Play ‘Changgu’ General Manager
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Current, Vice President of KOVA Venture Business Association (2023~)
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Current, Vice President of KOVA Venture Business Association (2023~)
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Seoul_Professor, Global Entrepreneur Center, Hanyang University (served as adjunct, special, industrial complex professor) 2012~2018
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Incheon_Member of the Incheon Metropolitan City New Deal Special Committee (appointed by the Mayor of Incheon)
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Busan_Member of the Busan Metropolitan City Technology Startup Policy Advisory Committee (appointed by the Mayor of Busan)
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Jeju_Member of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province 4th Industrial Revolution Committee (appointed by Jeju Governor)
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Jeju_Seogwipo City Policy Advisory Committee Advisory Member (appointed by Seogwipo Mayor)
​Jeju_Seogwipo City STARTUPBAY + GLOBAL General Manager
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Former, Architect (10 years_Urban Architecture, Space Design)
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Hyeon, Writer_Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Recommended Books_Bestseller Mutant Wolf, Attack of the Wolf  and 8 other books)
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Awards
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Received the Minister of SMEs and Startups Award (Individual Category - Merit Award)_2017
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Mayor of Incheon for contribution to the startup ecosystem of Incheon Metropolitan City (individual/institutional commendation) (2022)
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Selected as an honorary citizen of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province (2021)_Contribution to creating a startup city
Writing activities (total 8 volumes)
Ministry of National Defense Jinjung Bookstore distributed to all units, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism recommended book <Variant Wolf> 2022
Kyobo Bookstore bestseller, Book Morning CEO selection, senior_large print publication for people with low vision, etc.
Representative lecture
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SKA Show (podcast), Harvard University, MIT School of Engineering, Sebasi, National Assembly, large corporations, etc.
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an unknown wolf_Kyobo Bookstore bestseller
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ASEAN's onslaught from the periphery to the center
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Uncharted Wolf to Revive Korea's Crisis, New Stage for Digital Industrial Revolution, Talk about ASEAN's Potential. "Korea's Economy at the Crossroads of Growth and Retrograde, Now Advance with ASEAN's Wolf Corps!"/ 27 strongly recommended items including the head of the Korea Venture Business Association, the head of the Korea Venture Capital Association, and the head of the Korea Women's Venture Association / Analysis of 238 startup items with unicorn entry
 

Sam & Parkers

2025.02.12

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Mutant Wolf (Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism)
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Post-Corona Era Startup Ecosystem White Paper
Destroyers who took over today with ‘tact’ and ‘wildness’
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Kyobo Bookstore's bestseller (economics and management)/Kyobo Bookstore's hot book selection/Kyobo Bookstore's No. 1 rated good book/Kyobo Bookstore's Book Morning CEO selection/Millie's Library (1 million members) bestseller selection/Samseong Station subway advertisement, high school family entrepreneurship (Biz Cool) ) Includes textbooks/Publishes large print for people with low vision

Sam & Parkers

2019.12.26

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Attack of the Wolf_Kyobo Bookstore bestseller
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Economic Era of mutated wolves heading towards the new continent
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A new perspective and insight on startups and a guide to the direction of the economy after the pandemic. “An all-out advance to expand the economic territory of mutant wolves armed with an endless desire for growth” 2022 Kyobo Bookstore (Economic Management) Hot topic new book, selected by Book Morning CEO/Selected as a book recommended by the Director of the Korea Institute of Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneurship Development, etc./Low vision Large print publishing for people

Sam & Parkers

2022.05.21

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CEO Kim Young-rok’s profile video

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Human Resources Development Conference

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KBC Hwatong Concert

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15 minutes to change the world

TEAM​

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​Hana Park

Senior Managing Director

"'Connecting the dots' We value broad experience and learning and aim for a nomade life."

I am in charge of the US ICC China branch, a Chinese interpreter for Beijing ESF, a consulting director for admissions to specialized high schools, and a general manager of support for start-ups. I lived in China for 7 years, in the US and Dubai, and majored in Chinese language and literature at Beijing Normal University.

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Yang Jeong-ah

head of a department

"I have ENFP traits and strive for positive energy, communication, and an inclusive life."

 

I have been in charge of startup support work for 10 years in startup ecosystems such as the Korea Youth Entrepreneurship Foundation and Seoul Creative Economy Innovation Center. I am a startup support expert with a strong sense of responsibility and a sincere heart for startup growth.

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Hu Ji Hyo

head of a department

"I will support and grow as a startup expert who connects potential opportunities with technology and helps startups on their long journey to benefit the world."

 

I worked at Hanyang University, Yonsei University, Jeju National University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation, and KAIST Jeju Innovation Growth Center, where I planned and operated growth programs for early-stage startups while working on technology startup programs and government R&D projects and as a laboratory innovator.

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Park Ji-yeon

Next Challenge School Director of Academic Affairs

We will help students maximize their potential through field experience in 7 global countries and creative project-based learning. We support you as you grow into talents who will lead the changing future!

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Choi Jae-hyuk

Team Leader

“I believe that everyone has a valuable story to tell, and I am also someone who thinks about what my story is.”

 

I have worked with domestic and international companies to design, operate, and track the performance of educational programs that nurture future generations, and have 7 years of experience in fostering entrepreneurship education. Now, I am working to help startups grow beyond education.

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Jiyoung Lim

responsibility

“‘Life is a journey.’ I aim to enjoy each day as if it were a wonderful journey.”

I have experience planning a training course for digital government global consultants at the National Information Society Agency (NIA) and supporting incubation/acceleration for the growth of prospective and early-stage startups in the Jeju region.

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Jeon Mi-kyung

Senior Manager

“No matter what anyone says, I aim to live a life where I grow in my own way.”

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Hwang Hye-ju

Senior Manager

"Make It Count."

 

"I get new inspiration from things that are unrefined."

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Na Han Sol

Coworking Manager

"'Hard work never betrays.' I aim to live a life of growth by doing my best in whatever is given to me."

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Park Joo-eun

manager

"I always pursue learning and growing, and becoming a better person than I was yesterday. I aim to live a life where I expand myself through change and challenge, and create a better future together."

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Oh Seung Hwan

manager

"We aim for communication to deliver stories through visual design, and we want to convey faith with consistency."

in a major career
He majored in industrial design at Jeju Hanra University and gained experience in design through various internal and external competitions and activities, including many capstone designs and the 2024 International Communication Design Presidential Award.

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Oh Seung Hwan

manager

"We aim for communication to deliver stories through visual design, and we want to convey faith with consistency."

in a major career
He majored in industrial design at Jeju Hanra University and gained experience in design through various internal and external competitions and activities, including many capstone designs and the 2024 International Communication Design Presidential Award.

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Jeong Hyo-jin

Headquarters Manager

"The river of hearts that flows between people. We aim for the same life."

Incheon Techno Park, Jeju Economic and Trade Promotion Agency, etc. for 14 years
We have dedicated ourselves to improving the corporate value of small and medium-sized enterprises and to advancing support projects.
We are a partner for real corporate growth that works with a sense of balance between the national and local government support fields and the corporate ecosystem.

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Park Mi-young

head of a department

"I will support and grow as a startup expert who connects potential opportunities with technology and helps startups on their long journey to benefit the world."

 

I worked at Hanyang University, Yonsei University, Jeju National University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation, and KAIST Jeju Innovation Growth Center, where I planned and operated growth programs for early-stage startups while working on technology startup programs and government R&D projects and as a laboratory innovator.

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Moon min

Director of ASEAN Labs Center

"I aim to live a life that has a positive influence through positive energy."

 

My main career experience includes working as a marketing manager at the Hanoi IT Support Center of the National IT Industry Promotion Agency, managing general office work at a fashion accessory manufacturing company, and planning and operating startup events. I majored in business administration and FTA business.

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Seongwoo Lee

Team Leader

"With the motto of 'As Always', 'Always like now'

“I aim to live a life of challenge and growth based on my unchanging original intention.”

We support the growth of startups based on our community expertise, including regional activation through university and local resource linkage, planning and operating humanities courses, general staff for overseas volunteer groups in Rwanda, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and India, public relations and sponsorship PM for welfare organizations, product policy planning, and CS.

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Yoo Yoon-hee

exaggeration

"Let us make wise choices that do not deceive ourselves."

 

Main career

I majored in accounting and taxation, have 16 years of experience in accounting, studied Chinese, and have experience starting a business.

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​Jin So-young

Senior Manager

“I want to help create a better world by reminding myself of the importance of a global mindset.”

 

I spent 6 years of my school years in China and worked for a foreign airline for 7 years, which gave me the opportunity to travel to many places around the world and meet many different people. I think my many years of experience abroad are my greatest strengths.

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Lee Han-sol

Senior Manager

“We aim to live together.”

 

Under the mission of ‘You, Me, and Us,’ we have been practicing social welfare for a life in which the community lives together in harmony.

Currently, as a manager of the Management Support Division, I am working to maximize the synergy of collaboration and achieve goals with everyone I work with.

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Thanh Giang

ASEAN LABS Program Manager

“Embrace challenges, learn from setbacks, and never stop striving for growth.”

 

I have gained experience in various fields such as accounting, management, and marketing in the Vietnamese startup ecosystem. I majored in accounting, finance, and project management and developed my expertise, and I am currently providing practical support to help Korean-Vietnamese startups grow in Vietnam.

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Park Bomi

manager

"There is no special secret to success; what matters is consistent effort and not giving up, no matter how difficult it may be." I aim to live a life of persistent, consistent effort toward my goals.

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Kang Ha Sung

manager

“We want to build trust step by step and uphold its value with all our heart.
We will convey our sincerity and trust to create a better startup ecosystem."

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Oh Seung Hwan

manager

"We aim for communication to deliver stories through visual design, and we want to convey faith with consistency."

in a major career
He majored in industrial design at Jeju Hanra University and gained experience in design through various internal and external competitions and activities, including many capstone designs and the 2024 International Communication Design Presidential Award.

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Moon Sung-jun

manager

"I believe there is great value in always challenging and learning new things."

I majored in design at Seoul Design High School and KyeWon University of Art and Design, and have always been interested in startups.

We aim to become an excellent partner to Global NC through design thinking that starts with directly entering the startup ecosystem, seeing, hearing, and experiencing, and understanding its members.

advisory group

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Lee Seok-gu

president

Hyun, Special Professor at Yonsei University

Former President of the National Defense University

Former Ambassador to UAE (United Arab Emirates)

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Kim Chun-ho

president

Former President of SUNY Korea

Former Vice President of Konkuk University

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Soowoo Kim

professor

Hyun, Director and Professor of Periodontology, Harvard School of Dental Medicine
Hyun, Founder of Come and Change Foundation (USA)

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Jang Heung-soon

professor

Former Professor, Graduate School of Technology Management, Sogang University
Hyun, CEO of Bluekite
Former Director of Sogang Institute of Advanced Technology (SIAT)
Former Chairman of the Venture Business Association (3rd, 4th, 5th)
Former member of the Presidential Commission on Science and Technology
Former member of the KOSDAQ Listing Committee

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Geumryong Lee

Chairman

Hyun, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Non-profit Organization Challenge and Sharing

Former President of Coglo.com
Former CEO of Inicis
Former Chairman of the Korea Internet & Security Agency
Former CEO of Auction

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Grace Moon

Fashion designer

Asia's Influential Leader Awards

Influential Leader in Fashion Industry

Dubai Summit CEO Awards

Asia Model Association Korea Model Awards

The best fashion designer who made Korea shine

board of directors

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Choi Jin-kyo

Minerva University Master of Decision Analysis
Seoul National University, Bachelor of Chinese Language and Literature
Co-founder of Next Challenge School

Co-founder of Next Challenge Labs
Former BP Strategy, Fashion Division, Samsung C&T Corporation

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Youngjun Choi

Hyun, CEO of Betec Co., Ltd.
Hyun, Co-President of Hanyang Angel Club
Former CEO of Advantech Inve
Former Director of Hanyang University Alumni Association
Former Establishment and CEO of Advantech Korea (Taiwan Joint Venture)
· No. 1 in domestic industrial PC market share

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Boyoung Shin

Hyun, Chairman of Alpha & Energy Co., Ltd.

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Cheolyoung Kim

Hyun, CEO of Sehan Wise Consulting/Sehan Academy
· More than 25 years of developing global talent

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Joshua Moon

Grace Moon Inspired Co-Founder

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Seonghyuk Park

Hyun, Professor, Department of Management Engineering, KAIST
Hyun, Outside Director of Ananti Cove
I am the founder of Recovel
Former CEO of Yellow Digital Marketing
Former RIDI Technical Advisor
· KAIST Ph.D. in Management Engineering
· AI/Big Data expert and entrepreneur

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Ryu Chang-wan

Hyun, Director of Hanyang University Entrepreneurship Support Group
Current Dean, Graduate School of Entrepreneurship and Convergence, Hanyang University
Former Founder and First Director of Hanyang University Global Enterprise Center

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Eunjoo Kim

Hyun, Managing Director (Executive) of Handok CM&D Co., Ltd.

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Shin Dong-min

Hyun, CEO of Bro Co., Ltd.
Hyeon, Crov Co., Ltd.
Angel investor
ㆍSpecialization: Blockchain/Growth Hacking

Global Advisor

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Lee Yong Deuk

Nation: Vietnam

Vice President VTC Online

Vietnam’s largest game publisher under the Ministry of Science and ICT

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Jian Liang Low

Nation: China

Co-founder of Reactor School

Entrepreneurship education in 300 schools in SEA

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Solomon Moos

Nation: France

President at La French Tech Seoul

La French Tech Seoul Chairman/VC

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Christopher Lai

Nation: HongKong

Director of Hong Kong Trade Development Council

Hong Kong Trade Development Bureau

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Sarun Sutuntivkoon

Nation : Thailand

Chairman of TVCA

Chairman of Thailand Venture Capital Association

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Rusydi Khairul

Nation : Singapole

CEO of Reactor School

Entrepreneurship education in 300 schools in SEA

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Nicolas Mercier

Nation: France

Vice President at La French Tech Seoul

Vice President of La French Tech Seoul

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Chris Georgiev

Nation : Bulgaria

Co-founder, Imagga
Automatic image recognition from 82 countries

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Roger Royo

Nation : Spain

Solbridge Entrepreneurship Center

Spanish Chamber of Commerce

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Hiromi Sakae Ogawa

Nation : Japan

Executive Director of Envizion, Inc.

Edtech expert

NCF

Ministry of SMEs and Startups Foundation Establishment Approval No. 2019-02

Small and Medium Venture Business Administration Accelerator Registration No. 2019-72

[Jeju Headquarters]

STARTUPBAY, 86 Jungjeong-ro, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do

Representative number 064-732-0039

Startup Bay 064-732-0049

[Seoul_Global]

Next Challenge, 2nd floor, 59 Ewhayeodae-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

Main number: 02-6352-6422

[Lecture Inquiry]

Main number: 010-9535-3703

[Incheon Headquarters]

Incheon Global, 119 Songdo Culture-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon

Campus Complex Cultural Center B1012-2 (Songdo-dong)

NCF

Incheon Regional Small and Medium Venture Business Administration Foundation Establishment Approval No. 2020-02

NCLabs_Seoul

Next Challenge Ventures, 2nd floor, 59 Ewhayeodae-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

NCLabs_TH

[Thailand Corporation]

75/29 Richmond Building 12th Floor Soi Sukhumvit 26, Khlong Tan, Khlong Toei, Bangkok, Thailand

NCLabs_VN

[Vietnam Corporation]

18th Floor, VTC Online Building, No. 18, Tam Trinh Street, Minh Khai Ward, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi, Vietnam

NCLabs_SG

[Singapore Corporation]

160 Robinson Road #14-04 Singapore Business Federation Center Singapore SGP 068914

NCLabs_MY

[malaysia]

HIVE 5 (Enterprise 4), Taman Teknologi MRANTI,
Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur

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