[Sponsored Report] Entrepreneurs learn business tactics from SKT

A merchant and an SK Telecom employee pose in Junggok Jeil Market in Junggok-dong, eastern Seoul. Provided by the company

SK Telecom, the nation’s leading mobile carrier, created a campaign called “Happy Together” to share its knowledge and skills in information and communication technology (ICT) in order to create more jobs in Korea and support small businesses in various industries.

Bravo! Restart, an ICT start-up program for middle-aged workers interested in business, is an example of the company’s social contribution.

The mobile operator supports middle-aged people because they have plenty of experience and they have the potential to successfully open their own business.

So far, the company has run the program twice and a total of 23 teams participated to make their business dreams come true. From the first program, nine teams established their items in both domestic and international markets. The items include a laser pico projector, which projects the screens of mobile devices; a smart gym board, a sporting device that connects with the computer or mobile devices; and an unmanned parcel delivery system.

The participants of the second program are also performing well, with inventions such as a facial recognition security system and an electronic black board in the market already.

The company also hosts a forum every two months for those planning to start their own business. At the forum, entrepreneurs are invited as lecturers and host discussion sessions. Also, investment specialists attend the event to mentor future CEOs.

SK Telecom also shared its growth with merchants in traditional markets. Junggok Jeil Market in Junggok-dong, eastern Seoul, was transformed into a high-tech market with the company’s support. The major changes include free Wi-Fi throughout the market, online coupons that can be downloaded on smart devices, and an online market that allows consumers to shop the market’s products at home and get them delivered to their house.

Incheon’s Singi Market also signed a memorandum of understanding with the company to establish ICT solutions to revitalize the shops in the market.

“It is our goal to create an ICT ecosystem that will bring new jobs and shared growth to our society,” said an SK Telecom official.