- Seoul Impact 2.0 to launch AI startup ecosystem with Seoul RISE project

The University of Seoul has been selected as the lead university for the 2026 Seoul Campus Town Project. With this selection, the University of Seoul will roll out a full-cycle support system that covers entrepreneurship education, business incubation, demonstration and commercialization, and investment. It will also expand the regional innovation-driven startup ecosystem in partnership with the Seoul RISE (Regional Innovation-led Startup Ecosystem) project.

Starting with this round, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has made fostering AI-based startups and strengthening ties with RISE its top priorities, and it will provide up to KRW 1.2 billion per year in funding to selected universities for as long as four years.

The Seoul Campus Town Project is designed to systematically cultivate youth entrepreneurship and boost regional vitality by leveraging the human and physical resources of universities. In response, the University of Seoul has introduced the “Seoul Impact 2.0” strategy, with a vision to: 

▲ deliver customized scale-up support by growth stage, 

▲ strengthen AI+X convergence startup capabilities, 

▲ address urban challenges with Seoul-style solutions, 

▲ and drive global expansion. 

▶ Local innovation and youth entrepreneurship networking hub at the University of Seoul:

In particular, it will offer AI-based hands-on entrepreneurship training and a testbed environment, while advancing growth strategies that validate startup models tackling regional and urban issues—leading to international scale-up.

President Yongkul Won said, “The University of Seoul will create an entrepreneurial ecosystem that grows alongside the community. Through collaboration with the Seoul RISE project, we will reinforce performance-based entrepreneurship support.”

Jie-Eun Hwang, Head of the UOS Startup Foundation, added, “By expanding AI-driven programs and enhancing startup support across specialized tracks in social impact, urban innovation, and industry–academia collaboration, we will establish a Seoul-style startup success model that generates uniquely Seoul impact with global value.”

The University of Seoul’s Campus Town Project was recognized for its stable management capabilities after earning the highest rating (A+) in the 2024 evaluation. With this latest selection, it is expected to further improve the survival and growth rates of incubated companies and accelerate the development of baby unicorns.