Kakao's regional artificial intelligence (AI) talent and company development body, Kakao AI Sail, said on Aug. 26 it ran the entrepreneur network camp "Sailing Busan 2026" in Busan on Aug. 21 to 22.

A total of 50 people took part, including 40 entrepreneurs in AI and data working outside the Seoul metropolitan area and 10 mentors made up of venture investors and experienced entrepreneurs.

Kakao AI Sail said it planned the networking event based on the results of a prior survey that found the support regional entrepreneurs needed was connections. Participants took time to relax and, through programs such as coffee chats and "can meetings", discussed business direction with mentors and fellow entrepreneurs.

Kakao AI Sail is a private-sector cooperation body that combines the infrastructure of the Kakao Group with the capabilities of four major institutes of science and technology: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST) and Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST). It aims to revitalise the AI ecosystem in non-capital regions based on a 50 billion won fund created by Kakao.

Kakao plans to use the event as a starting point to expand touchpoints by region and support the formation of entrepreneurs' personal networks. It also plans to enhance future startup support programmes based on participants' feedback.

Cho Eun-woo (조은우), chief executive of NVZEN, said, "I stepped away from my daily routine of focusing on research and work and, by talking with senior entrepreneurs and investors, received advice needed to design our business direction."

Kim Young-deok (김영덕), head of the Kakao AI Sail Centre, said, "Based on entrepreneurs' voices, we will build connections so regional talent and companies can move toward bigger markets."