The Banks Foundation for Young Entrepreneurs (D.camp) kicked off its first Global Interns for Startups program at Front1 Building in Gongdeok, Seoul. The initiative aims to bridge the gap between Korean startups with global products and the growing pool of international talent studying in Korea.
The program, which launched its recruitment drive in August, saw 18 startups pitch their opportunities to a diverse crowd of international students at the career fair. Selected candidates will begin their minimum two-month internship positions starting December, following a thorough recruitment process in November and December.
Among the participating startups is Innobyte, which operates Dentlink, a platform connecting overseas dental clinics with dental laboratories. Currently partnering with 100 dental clinics across the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK, the company is actively seeking talent for their international marketing team. “Given our global operations, we’re looking for candidates with strong understanding of international markets,” says Donghyun Hwang, Business Development Director at Innovide. “We’re open to hiring multiple candidates who match our criteria.”
The event attracted numerous international students eager to break into Korea’s dynamic startup scene. Lejla Hajdarpasic, a German student studying International commerce at Seoul National University, attended the event through a friend’s recommendation. “I gained valuable insights that weren’t available on company websites,” she shared, expressing her interest in beauty-focused startups and her desire to work in Korea post-graduation.
Bakht Naeem, an MBA student in his final semester at Ajou University, echoed similar sentiments about the event’s value. With family ties in Korea, he’s actively seeking post-graduation employment opportunities in the country. Looking ahead, D.CAMP plans to standardize its internship programs, offering four seasonal opportunities annually – two sessions for domestic talent and two for international students during summer and winter breaks. This structured approach aims to address both youth employment challenges and startups’ growing demand for junior talent.
“We envision this program as a stepping stone for junior talent to gain valuable startup experience,” says Saerom Im, Team Leader at D.CAMP. “Our ultimate goal is to nurture professionals who will contribute to Korea’s startup ecosystem in the long run.”
