2025 Re-Challenge Startup Forum Group Photo

- Stories of entrepreneurs starting again in Incheon, overcoming failure and challenging themselves anew

- A platform for re-challenge through collaboration among the private sector, government, and academia

Incheon National University (President Lee In-jae) successfully held the 2025 Re-Challenge Startup Forum on October 27 at the Grand Ballroom of the Sheraton Hotel in Songdo. The forum was organized to encourage companies that have experienced startup failure to try again, to share lessons from failure, and to foster an environment where these challenges can be overcome. The event was hosted by the INU Startup Support Foundation, with participation from Incheon Metropolitan City, Incheon Technopark, the Incheon Center for Creative Economy & Innovation, private investment firms, and regional startup-related organizations.

Held under the theme “The Journey of Entrepreneurs Who Challenge Again Beyond Failure,” the forum brought together over 100 attendees, including representatives of companies selected for the Re-Challenge Success Package and members of startup-related institutions. The event began with a welcoming address by INU Vice President Lee Joonhan and congratulatory remarks by Lee Namju, Director of the Future Industry Bureau of Incheon Metropolitan City. This was followed by presentations on overcoming startup failure and discussions on collaboration among the public, private, and academic sectors.

In the keynote lecture, Jeong-hyuk Kwon, CEO of SpoIT Co., Ltd., delivered a talk titled “The Story of a Senior Entrepreneur Who Overcame Failure.” He spoke candidly about the real challenges and recovery process after startup failure, emphasizing that “the experience of failure ultimately becomes the greatest asset for an entrepreneur’s growth.”

During the panel discussion, six organizations—including Incheon Metropolitan City, Incheon Technopark, the Incheon Center for Creative Economy & Innovation, Honest Ventures, TAP Angel Partners, and Incheon National University—engaged in an in-depth conversation on practical cooperation measures such as re-startup support policies, funding channels, and strengthening the startup culture. Various insights were shared on how to build a sustainable re-challenge support system within the regional startup ecosystem through collaboration among the private sector, government, and academia.

In the afternoon, programs such as IR mentoring sessions for re-challenge companies, policy fund briefings, and networking opportunities provided direct communication opportunities between startups, investors, and policy funding agencies. Participants commented that it was “a meaningful event offering practical, on-site support.”

Kang Dong-gu, Director of the INU Startup Support Foundation, stated, “This forum was a meaningful opportunity that offered courage and connection to entrepreneurs who are moving beyond failure toward re-challenge. We will continue to take the lead in expanding the regional re-startup ecosystem through the Re-Challenge Success Package.”