Hana opens applications for "Social Venture University" program, adds Inha to roster

Hana Financial Group Chairman and CEO Ham Young-joo, right, and Inha University President Cho Myeong-woo shake hands during a signing ceremony in Incheon on Tuesday. [HANA FINANCIAL GROUP]

Hana Financial Group signed an agreement with Inha University to foster young entrepreneurs and opened applications for its annual “Hana Social Venture University” program, the financial firm said Wednesday.

The signing ceremony, held Tuesday at Inha University in Incheon, added the institution to Hana Financial Group's roster of partners in its effort to foster new entrepreneurship.

Hana Social Venture University, which is in its third edition this year, is designed to accelerate job creation and establish a sustainable venture ecosystem in collaboration with regional universities by providing entrepreneurs training and support as they found new businesses.

The program has operated in partnership with regional universities and the Ministry of Employment and Labor since 2022. It began with 10 universities in five regions in 2022, which had expanded to 30 universities nationwide by the end of 2023.

A total of 2,050 participants so far have completed the program with 217 teams launching businesses. Hana plans to select 1,500 participants from 30 universities this year.

For this year’s program, Hana has expanded the course to help fledgling entrepreneurs scale up their companies.

Under its tutelage, “Hana Financial Group, local universities and the younger generation come together as one to forge a strong future for each region,” said Hana Financial Group Chairman and CEO Ham Young-joo.

“Hana Financial Group will continue to do our best to help young entrepreneurs create healthy companies and job opportunities for the local communities,” Ham added.

BY SHIN HA-NEE [shin.hanee@joongang.co.kr]