Kakao's regional artificial intelligence talent and startup incubation body, "Kakao AI Sail," has wrapped up its first offline event, "Sailing Busan 2026."
Kakao (035720.KS) said on the 27th that Kakao AI Sail held the founders networking camp Sailing Busan 2026 in Busan from the 21st to the 22nd of this month. A total of 50 people took part, including 40 founders working in AI and data outside the Seoul metropolitan area and a 10-member expert mentor group made up of venture investors and veteran founders.
Kakao AI Sail is a private-sector cooperation body formed by Kakao Group with four science and technology institutes: the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST) and the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST). It aims to invigorate AI ecosystems outside the capital region, drawing on a 50 billion won AI development fund set up by Kakao.
Before holding Sailing Busan, Kakao found that what regional founders actually needed was substantive connections with investors and fellow founders. That is why the first event was designed as a networking camp.
Unlike typical startup training courses or investment briefings, the event focused on giving regional founders experiencing slumps and burnout a chance to recharge. The program was built around the themes of rest, connection and inspiration, so participants could share their concerns with mentors in a relaxed setting, build relationships with fellow founders and return to their businesses with renewed focus.
Cho Eun-woo, chief executive of Envisen, who attended the event, said, "I applied because I thought it would be a chance to step away from a daily routine devoted only to research and work and to recharge." Cho added, "It was a meaningful time because I gained insights I need to map out the direction of my business going forward, through conversations with veteran founders and investors."
Kakao AI Sail plans to continue programs supporting the building of personal networks among founders in other regions as well. It also plans to refine future startup support programs based on the views of founders gathered at this camp.
Kim Young-duk, head of the Kakao AI Sail center, said, "I hope Sailing Busan gave regional AI founders a chance to drop anchor for a while and draw the strength to set sail again with peers who share the same concerns." Kim added, "We will continue to create the connections needed so that regional talent and companies can move into bigger markets, starting from the voices of the founders themselves."
