BNK Gyeongnam Bank Holds 'CHAIN-G 1st and 2nd Cohorts Integrated Networking Day' in Busan

Solidarity Over Competition: Connecting the Startup Ecosystem with CHAIN-G
Practicing ESG Management

BNK Gyeongnam Bank announced on September 2 that it held the "2025 BNK Gyeongnam Bank CHAIN-G 1st and 2nd Cohorts Integrated Networking Day" at the Wyndham Grand Hotel in Busan.

BNK Gyeongnam Bank CHAIN-G 1st and 2nd Cohorts Integrated Networking Day.

This event was organized to establish a foundation for solidarity and collaboration that transcends cohort boundaries, by promoting meaningful exchanges and unity among participating companies from the 1st and 2nd cohorts of the BNK Gyeongnam Bank startup support program, CHAIN-G.

The "CHAIN-G Program," operated by BNK Gyeongnam Bank, is a specialized startup support initiative unique to the bank. The brand name reflects the aim to connect startups, the local community, and the entire financial ecosystem into a single chain.

The event brought together representatives from a total of 34 startups from the 1st and 2nd CHAIN-G cohorts. The program included a variety of sessions such as sharing common challenges, identifying collaboration opportunities, exchanging experiences on attracting investment, special lectures from outstanding startups, expert presentations, recreation, and open networking. The event was conducted in a participant-centered, voluntary, and engaging format, which was met with an enthusiastic response.

In particular, participating companies shared the real difficulties they face in the process of founding and running their businesses, while peers with similar experiences offered solutions. This created an environment for empathy-based exchanges and practical feedback.

During the networking day, Lee Juhong, Vice President of SLBS, which successfully secured Series B funding, delivered a talk sharing insights on the brand's growth journey, creative strategies, experiences collaborating with large corporations, and strategies for attracting investment, providing practical insights to founders. Park Mingul, Director at Darae Strategic Commercialization Center, gave a detailed presentation on "Patent Roadmaps for Startups," covering early-stage patent strategies and factors for evaluating patent value from an investor's perspective.

The CHAIN-G 1st and 2nd Cohorts Integrated Networking Day is especially significant as it is a rare example of an "integrated networking program across cohorts" in the field of startup support initiatives.

While most startup support programs operate by cohort, resulting in a lack of continuity among participants, BNK Gyeongnam Bank's CHAIN-G is attracting attention as an exceptional model that challenges this limitation by fostering a community-based ecosystem through meaningful connections between cohorts.

Seo Wonchun, Deputy General Manager at BNK Gyeongnam Bank, stated, "The core of CHAIN-G, our specialized startup support initiative, lies not just in financial support but in creating a structure of trust and connection among founders. Through this CHAIN-G 1st and 2nd Cohorts Integrated Networking Day, we hope to further spread a culture of mutual support and collaboration."

Meanwhile, BNK Gyeongnam Bank continues to operate the CHAIN-G program to support startups, acting as a reliable partner for the region and practicing inclusive finance.