Korea Development Bank holds 'KDB V:Launch North Jeolla Special' at Jeonbuk National University

Event has provided networking opportunities for regional innovators since 2023

Park Sang-jin, chairman of Korea Development Bank [Korea Development Bank]
Park Sang-jin, chairman of Korea Development Bank [Korea Development Bank]

Korea Development Bank Chairman Park Sang-jin pledged Friday to "provide full support so that promising regional companies can overcome the constraints of capital and networks and break into bigger markets."

Park made the remarks at the "KDB V:Launch North Jeolla Special," held that afternoon at Jeonbuk National University's Industry-Academia Convergence Plaza. "Korea Development Bank will go beyond being a simple capital supplier and become a reliable growth partner that connects technology with capital, and companies with markets," he said.

The event drew about 150 attendees, including Park, North Jeolla Province Governor Lee Won-taek, Jeonbuk National University Vice President Lee Dong-heon, Korea Startup Forum Chairman Kim Jae-won, venture investors from the Greater Seoul area, and startup representatives from the southwestern region.

The event was organized to examine North Jeolla Province's future growth potential, support local startups in attracting investment, and contribute to youth job creation and regional economic revitalization.

Korea Development Bank prepared an investor relations event to help regional startups — which had limited access to investors — showcase their technology and growth potential and expand their fundraising opportunities. Attendees also visited the Jeonbuk National University Physical AI Demonstration Lab, where they observed AI moving beyond algorithms to animate actual robots, gaining a firsthand look at the future industries North Jeolla Province could build.

Korea Development Bank has operated KDB V:Launch since May 2023. The venture platform — whose name carries the meaning of "launching the value and success of venture companies" — provides networking opportunities for innovative companies in the southern region to attract investment and expand their business. Earlier this month, the bank held the "KDB V:Launch Fly Asia Special" at Busan's BEXCO, creating a forum for venture investors and related organizations to connect.


hyuk@heraldcorp.com