Hana Financial Group Leads Youth Job Creation with 'Hana Social Venture University'

Business Agreement Signed with Kwangwoon University to Revitalize Youth Entrepreneurship in the Region
Four Years of Public-Private-Academic Cooperation with the Ministry of Employment and Labor... 326 Successful Youth Startup Cases
Chairman Ham Youngjoo: "We Will Provide Full Support to Invigorate the Regional Economy"

▲ On the 11th, at Kwangwoon University in Nowon-gu, Seoul, a business agreement was signed to promote local youth entrepreneurship. Ham Young-joo, Chairman of Hana Financial Group (right), is taking a commemorative photo with Cheon Jang-ho, President of Kwangwoon University. Photo by Hana Financial Group

Hana Financial Group announced on the 14th that it signed a business agreement with Kwangwoon University on the 11th to revitalize youth entrepreneurship in the region and is recruiting the 4th cohort of its youth entrepreneur discovery and nurturing program, 'Hana Social Venture University.'

'Hana Social Venture University' is Hana Financial Group's flagship social value creation program that collaborates with key universities nationwide to provide practical professional entrepreneurship education to young entrepreneurs, discover region-specific business items, and cultivate regionally rooted entrepreneurial talent.

Now in its fourth year, the program has been conducted in partnership with the Ministry of Employment and Labor. It began cooperation with 10 universities across 5 regions in 2022 and has expanded to 30 universities nationwide since 2023.

As of the end of 2024, a cumulative total of 3,550 prospective young entrepreneurs have received practical entrepreneurship training, with 326 startup teams maintaining stable business operations. The cumulative total sales have exceeded 20 billion KRW, contributing to regional economic revitalization.

The 4th cohort program of 'Hana Social Venture University,' officially launched through the business agreement with Kwangwoon University, will provide step-by-step customized education programs to approximately 1,500 prospective young entrepreneurs selected from 30 universities nationwide.

First, 'prospective entrepreneur' trainees will receive basic entrepreneurship education and coaching from professional entrepreneurship facilitators, along with various benefits such as ▲advancement plans for regional startup ideas ▲online and offline practical skill enhancement training ▲participation support funds.

Among the program graduates, 'outstanding startup teams' will be offered opportunities including ▲additional startup support funds ▲1:1 mentoring ▲industry-specific advanced training ▲customized performance creation education by business type ▲participation in the final performance sharing event. The top outstanding startup teams will be awarded a total prize of 150 million KRW.

Additionally, regional university councils will be held to design curricula reflecting local issues, and networking opportunities will be expanded to allow mentoring coaches and senior entrepreneurs from cohorts 1 to 3 to share their startup experiences and know-how.

Youth aspiring to start a business can apply for the 4th cohort of 'Hana Social Venture University' through the Hana Financial Group website and the 'Hana Power On' website by May 23.

In particular, by adding an advanced course that analyzes major problem-solving cases within the startup region and identifies the needs of various stakeholders related to the business in advance to create sustainable business models, the program plans to support young entrepreneurs in establishing themselves stably within their local communities.

Furthermore, outstanding startup teams will maximize their entrepreneurial outcomes through specialized support by industry and type. Through 1:1 mentoring with senior entrepreneurs in each industry, coaching based on real cases will be provided to facilitate practical entrepreneurship, and customized support by type?including product, service, and space planning?will help generate successful marketing results.

Attending the agreement ceremony, Chairman Ham Young-joo stated, "'Hana Social Venture University' is a meaningful project started with the belief that nurturing practical young entrepreneurs within the region will be a sustainable driving force for regional economic revitalization. Hana Financial Group will join hands to ensure that the youth’s challenges and passion become seeds, entrepreneurship blooms as flowers, and the fruits of revitalizing the regional economy are borne."

Meanwhile, 'Hana Social Venture University' was selected as an excellent activity company for three consecutive years at the 'Youth Leap Membership Conference' hosted by the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Korea Employers Federation in October last year. Recognized for its efforts to create jobs for the youth generation, it was also selected as an excellent case of 'Beautiful Journey with Companies' hosted by the National Integration Committee in December.

In addition, Hana Financial Group is focusing on job creation and entrepreneurship ecosystem development for various generations and regions through programs such as 'Hana Power On Innovation Company Internship,' which expands job opportunities for vulnerable employment groups like people with disabilities and women with career breaks by matching internships with social innovation companies; 'Hana ESG Double Impact Matching Fund,' supporting startups with job creation capabilities and eco-friendly technologies; and 'Hana Power On Second Life,' supporting reemployment of new senior career talents.