KVMCC Introduced Following 30th Anniversary Ceremony
Comprehensive Verification from Investment to Exit: Three-Tier Certification System
"Seeking Solutions Together with Entrepreneurs, Beyond Simply Imparting Experience"
The Korea Venture Business Association announced on December 9 that it will introduce the 'Korea Venture Mentoring Coaching Certification (KVMCC)' system to mark the 30th anniversary of venture businesses in South Korea.
This system was established following the response of venture entrepreneurs to the AI-restored image of the late Lee Minhwa, the association's first chairman, at the '30th Anniversary of Korea Venture Business' ceremony held on December 2. The association stated, "The enthusiastic response from venture entrepreneurs that day was not only a tribute to the late Chairman Lee, but also a reflection of the strong desire for a 'true mentor' to serve as a compass in the challenging startup scene." The association added, "Based on the belief that 'behind every great entrepreneur, there is always a great mentor,' we are launching KVMCC to expand the spirit of mentorship between seniors and juniors into an official system for the entire ecosystem."
The association particularly pointed out structural problems in the venture ecosystem’s mentoring sector, such as unverified mentor qualifications and a focus on one-off consultations, which have failed to drive substantial growth. It was determined that an advanced 'supporting' system is needed to reduce entrepreneurs' trial and error and to realize the vision of becoming one of the world's top four venture powerhouses, based on future technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), deep tech, bio, and space.
To this end, the association benchmarked the case of Bill Campbell, known as the 'Coach of Silicon Valley,' who coached Steve Jobs of Apple and Eric Schmidt of Google. The association has established a 'coaching mentor development system' that goes beyond simple knowledge transfer to provide both emotional support and business growth assistance to entrepreneurs.
KVMCC will be jointly implemented with the Korea Coach Association and the Early Investment Accelerator Association to ensure professionalism. Unlike existing leadership-centered coaching or career-based government mentor groups, KVMCC will verify both practical venture skills-such as fundraising, scaling up, and exit strategies-and professional coaching abilities.
The certification system will operate in three stages: 'Coaching Mentor' for supporting early-stage ventures, 'Pro Coaching Mentor' for those with scale-up expertise, and 'Master Coaching Mentor' for those who serve as ecosystem facilitators. Participants must cultivate five core competencies, including venture ethics and a growth mindset, and complete a total of 32 hours of training and evaluation, including practical mock IR coaching.
This new system is based on the philosophy of 'unlearning'-the discarding of old mindsets. Rather than unilaterally imposing past success stories, the program aims to foster 'coach-type mentors' who grow alongside entrepreneurs in a changing era. The goal is to establish this 'coach-type mentoring' model, which seeks practical solutions together with entrepreneurs rather than simply passing down experience, as the new standard in the venture industry.
KVMCC aims to produce its first cohort in the first half of next year, with the initial basic training course for certification set to begin on December 16. In addition, the association will identify and recommend distinguished senior entrepreneurs and experts who can contribute to ecosystem development, appointing them as 'Honorary Mentors.'
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
