The Platform SME Research Center (Director Kim Do-hyun, hereinafter referred to as the Research Center), a research institute at Kookmin University dedicated to fostering the growth of digital entrepreneurs, announced on the 11th that it had successfully completed the 5th "D-SME Executive Course" (hereinafter referred to as the Executive Course). The Executive Course, which was conducted for 11 weeks from September to December, targeted digital entrepreneurs.
Digital small and medium enterprises (D-SMEs) are small business owners who conduct business activities using digital platforms, including online sellers.
This fifth session of the Advanced Course was designed to support the growth of digital entrepreneurs and features a diverse curriculum, ranging from macro-level market environment analysis to business strategy. Expert lectures and case study sessions were held on topics such as trend analysis, AI, marketing, global expansion strategies, sustainable branding, and leadership.
The fifth program brought together 28 entrepreneurs with diverse growth paths, ranging from global brands to local farmers. Representative examples include vegan bagel maker Hippies Bagel, emotional luggage brand Dicker Bean, homegrown melon seller Todak, and premium domestic citrus brand Citrien. The highest-level program has produced a total of 150 individuals, including CEOs who have grown global brands like d'Alba, ATTRANGS, and SINCETHEN.
The contents of this top-level course include ▲The future of the AI era as seen by a brain scientist (Dr. Jang Dong-sun) ▲The era of AGI market dominance (KAIST Professor Kim Dae-sik) ▲Creating a super gap in brands with AI weapons (Shin Joo-hye, CEO of Selfish Club) ▲The future of self-employment as seen by a big data expert (Writer Song Gil-young) ▲Essential requirements for a sustainable brand (Naver Division Manager Choi So-hyeon) ▲Brand philosophy that has helped grow to global expansion (UDIMPACT Group Manager Lee Hye-mi). In addition to expert lectures, there are various programs such as Naver special lectures (Shopping Business Division), meetings with seniors (Atrans Fulfillment Tour), and networking events (Homecoming Day).
The "Homecoming Day" event, where graduates of the executive program gathered together, was attended by approximately 70 graduates, resulting in actual business collaborations. One of the event's programs, "Heart Signal Keyword Matching," identified collaborations based on business keywords and matched interested representatives. This facilitated active discussions on potential collaborations. Through the executive program, 5th-generation bedding brand "Doadream" and health pillow brand "Doctor Foam" collaborated on a full-scale joint project, from new product planning to launch preparations.
Kim Hwi, director of bedding brand 'Doadream', said, "Through brand collaboration with the CEO I met at the executive training course, we improved the height of our pillows, and we are planning to launch a new product early next year." Kim Mi-jeong, CEO of 'Todak', which sells melons, said, "As a local farmer, I had difficulties trying to expand my offline business to online. However, the training helped me a lot in determining the direction of my business, and I had a wonderful time for 11 weeks." Park Je-woo, CEO of 'Prazentra', which sells first-generation stretch mark cream skincare products, said, "I was able to broaden my perspective through great speakers at the executive training course, such as writer Song Gil-young and department head Choi So-hyun, and I was able to concretize my ideas by communicating with CEOs who had similar concerns."
Ryu Purum, head of the Research Business Division, emphasized, “Organic collaboration between brands is essential to move beyond simple sales and become a lifestyle brand that encompasses customers’ daily lives.” He added, “Going forward, the Research Center will create a community ecosystem where digital merchants can communicate, and will not spare any educational and networking support to help them achieve real growth.”
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