POSTECH Gains Attention for AI-Powered Social Innovation Ideas at Global Student Startup Competition

POSTECH (Pohang University of Science and Technology) recently drew significant attention by showcasing AI-based social innovation ideas at the Global Student Startup Competition (GSSC) held in Seoul.

Competing alongside students from leading universities worldwide, POSTECH students demonstrated outstanding creativity and innovation on the global startup stage.

The GSSC, held for the first time this year as part of the Asian Leadership Conference (ALC), took place from May 18 to 22. Under the theme “Human-Centered AI: Improving Human Society Using AI,” the competition attracted top university teams from institutions including Seoul National University, Ewha Womans University, Harvard University, Cornell University, UC Berkeley, USC, and Aalto University.

Supported by POSTECH’s Glocal University Project, two undergraduate pre-startup teams participated in the event.

The ThinkBrew team, led by Hyein Yoo from the Department of IT Convergence Engineering, presented Clink, an AI-based customized clinical trial matching solution. Meanwhile, the Eye-Terra team, led by Sunghyun Jo from the same department, introduced Bori, an AI-powered vision aid glasses and software designed to assist visually impaired individuals.

Notably, the Eye-Terra team advanced to the finals, receiving high praise for their combination of technical innovation and social impact.

Although neither team won a final prize, both projects were well-received by judges and participants for focusing on practical solutions to social challenges such as improving medical accessibility and supporting the visually impaired.

Through this competition, POSTECH students went beyond mere technology development to offer solutions addressing the pressing global challenge of creating social value through AI.

This achievement once again demonstrates POSTECH’s innovative capabilities and competitiveness on the global stage, built upon creative education and a structured startup support system.

About the Asian Leadership Conference (ALC) and GSSC

The Asian Leadership Conference (ALC) is South Korea’s largest international forum, bringing together leaders in politics, economics, science, and culture from around the world to discuss global issues. Building on this international platform, ALC launched the Global Student Startup Competition (GSSC) for the first time in 2025, creating a global stage for future-generation student entrepreneurs.

GSSC, themed “Human-Centered AI,” gathered 60 selected university students worldwide to Seoul, where they presented innovative ideas, networked with global leaders, and developed entrepreneurial skills. Participants underwent approximately three months of mentoring to enhance business planning, prototype development, and presentation abilities before advancing through bootcamp and preliminary rounds held in Seoul.

Beyond being a startup contest, GSSC offers a meaningful experience for participants to grow as future global leaders shaping humanity’s future.

Article contributed by: Sunwoo Choi, Department of Mathematics, POSTECH

Official website: https://globalstudentstartup.org/

Source: Kyongbuk Ilbo (https://www.kyongbuk.co.kr)