Merges I'm in Busan and MAJU:ON into one event
Features expert networking, startup town tour and more
SK Innovation E&S said Wednesday that it is holding "Climate SOLVE Week" in Busan over six days, from Saturday to Thursday.
Climate SOLVE Week combines two programs that SK Innovation E&S has run in Busan and Indonesia — "I'm in Busan" and "MAJU:ON." I'm in Busan is a citizen-participation program that SK Innovation E&S has operated since 2024 together with UD Impact, an ESG (environmental, social and governance) consulting firm, while MAJU:ON supports young entrepreneurs in Indonesia.
This year's event comprises three programs. The first is the "Impact Hackathon," an idea competition in which university students from South Korea and Indonesia devise solutions to real problems facing small and medium-sized enterprises in Busan. The second is the "SOLVE Conference," where participants network with experts in energy and the environment and discuss ways to invigorate an AI-based climate-tech startup ecosystem. The third is a "benchmarking tour" of the Busan Centum Technology Startup Town (CENTAP), giving participants firsthand exposure to the local startup ecosystem.
Two teams recognized for excellence at Indonesia's MAJU:ON event in May — Aigra and Lifeguard — took part in a two-day, one-night benchmarking tour of CENTAP, touring Busan's startup scene firsthand. During the tour, Kim Dong-uk, head of the Busan Technology Startup Investment Institute, explained Busan's startup support policies and vision. Ahn Tae-wook, a professor at KAIST's Startup Institute, introduced the institute and presented ways to expand international cooperation on climate tech.
About 250 people attended the SOLVE Conference held Tuesday. Key figures in attendance included Indonesian Embassy Deputy Ambassador Ali Andika Wardhana and Kim Yong-woo, head of Busan Creative Economy Innovation Center. Speaking that day, Pyeon Jong-in, a senior project leader in the SV Committee of SK Group's SUPEX Council, discussed cases of startup incubation aimed at creating social value. He also addressed efforts to foster cooperation between large corporations and small and medium-sized enterprises.
"This event brings together various stakeholders from South Korea and Indonesia to solve climate and energy issues," said Lee Jong-su, president of SK Innovation E&S.
"We will continue to contribute to invigorating the climate-tech ecosystem and resolving local community issues by nurturing young entrepreneurs and regional small and medium-sized enterprises," he added.
yeongdai@heraldcorp.com
