UNIST has broken ground on the ' YUHA (裕河) Challenge Hall, ' a new entrepreneurship and research complex designed to accelerate the growth of deep-tech startups and strengthen the regional innovation ecosystem.

The groundbreaking ceremony, held on April 28, marks the launch of a major initiative supported by both private philanthropy and government funding. The ceremony was attended by Duksan Group Honorary Chairman Junho Lee and Duksan Group President Soo-Hoon Lee, UNIST Board Chair Jae Ho Song, UNIST President Chong Rae Park, Ulsan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chair Yuncheol Lee, and Ulsan Research Institute President Sanghoon Pyeon, among other distinguished guests. The program included opening remarks, congratulatory addresses, donor remarks, and a ceremonial lighting.

The project includes a KRW 30 billion donation from Duksan Group Honorary Chairman Junho Lee, with additional government support bringing the total investment to approximately KRW 48 billon. Scheduled for completion in 2028, the facility will comprise eight above-ground floors and one basement level, with a total floor area of approximately 14,004 square meters. It will consolidate key innovation resources—from prototyping and circuit design to high-performance computing and smart healthcare—alongside startup offices and a convention hall.

The YUHA Challenge Hall  is designed to provide comprehensive support across the full startup lifecycle—from early-stage research and prototyping to investment, validation, and global expansion. UNIST Plans to operate the facility as a regional hub for innovation through its technology holding company, which will support faculty- and student-led ventures from initial concept development to follow-on investment.

A dedicated ' YUHA Challenge Program ' will further identify high-potential technologies and accelerate their path to commercialization. By co-locating research teams and startup companies within a single facility, the university aims to streamline technology transfer and reduce the time required to bring new innovations to market. 

Startups emerging from the program are expected to expand into regional startup parks, industrial complexes, and corporate open innovation platforms, enabling large-scale validation and facilitating entry into global markets. The initiative also seeks to foster a sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem in which local talent can build and grow companies within the region. 

The name YUHA , derived from Chairman Lee's pen name, reflects values of generosity and abundance—principles that inform the vision for the new facility.

“Having started my business in Ulsan more than 40 years ago, I have always sought to take on new challenges,” said Chairman Lee. “I hope this will become a place where young entrepreneurs can pursue bold ideas without fear of failure, and build innovations that contribute to a more prosperous society.”

UNIST President Chong Rae Park said, “The YUHA Challenge Hall will serve as a platform that translates research into tangible outcomes—products, companies, and jobs. We are committed to supporting students and researchers as they develop technologies, attract investment, and bring their ideas to the global market.”

The project also aligns with a recent government initiative, led by the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) to strengthen science-based startup ecosystems at Korea's leading research institutions. By combining UNIST's research capabilities with Ulsan's industrial base, the facility is expected to play a key role in advancing this national effort.