UNIST brought together promising technology startups and venture capital (VC) investors at the 2nd UNI-Venture Challenge on July 22, reinforcing the university's commitment to helping research-based ventures move from innovation to commercialization. The investment pitch competition featured 13 early-stage startups from the Ulsan region, providing founders with opportunities to present their technologies, receive expert feedback, and build relationships with potential investors.

More than a pitch competition, the event reflects UNIST's broader approach to entrepreneurship support. Through startup education, mentoring, commercialization assistance, and investor engagement, the university is building an ecosystem that helps technology ventures develop beyond the research stage and prepare for sustainable growth.

That effort will enter its next phase in August, when UNIST's Office of University-Industry Cooperation is elevated to the UNIST Venture Foundry. Building on existing entrepreneurship programs, the Venture Foundry will expand support for identifying promising technologies, advancing commercialization, and connecting startups with investors across the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam region.

This year's finalists were selected from 28 teams participating in UNIST's entrepreneurship support initiatives. Before the competition, each team received individualized mentoring and pitch coaching to refine its business model and investment presentation.

A panel of venture capital professionals evaluated the finalists on technological innovation, market potential, and investment readiness. ANVIX Lab Co., Ltd., led by Professor Hoon Eui Jeong of Department of Mechanical Engineering at UNIST, received the Grand Prize. The Excellence Award went to ELBA Corp., led by CEO Juwon Gu, while Synthkey-Navi, led by Seohyun Choi, received the Merit Award.

The program also featured a keynote address by Tae-Gyu Han, Director of UNIST Technology Holdings, on investment trends and startup growth strategies. Throughout the day, participating companies showcased prototypes and met individually with investors to discuss commercialization pathways, investment opportunities, and potential business partnerships.

“The UNI-VENTURE CHALLENGE is designed to help promising technologies take the next step toward commercialization by connecting researchers, entrepreneurs, and investors,” said Youngsik Kim, Director of the Office of University-Industry Cooperation. "As the UNIST Venture Foundry expands our entrepreneurship programs across Southeast Korea, we hope to create more opportunities for innovative startups to grow and bring their technologies to market."