South Korean universities host regional AI hackathons and startup camps

Universities in South Korea are conducting cross-regional AI hackathons and entrepreneurship camps to address local issues and foster innovation.

Incheon National University and the University of Ulsan recently held a joint AI hackathon focused on solving regional challenges in Incheon and Ulsan. Forty students formed mixed teams to develop AI-based solutions for local policy needs. The grand prize was awarded to the ‘Mulbeom Gorae’ team for proposing an AI-driven bus application designed to improve public transportation in Ulsan by predicting delays and optimizing routes.

Separately, Hanbat National University’s Sejong Anchor Project Group hosted the ‘2026 Chungcheong Region Cross-Regional AI Startup Idea Camp’ in Yesan. Students from Hanbat National University and Chungbuk National University participated in the program to refine business models using AI. The grand prize went to the ‘GOAT’ team for ‘Sunfarm,’ an AI platform for agricultural trading. These initiatives aim to enhance students' AI capabilities and encourage regional talent to contribute to local economic development.