Written by Dongin Jung
Starting a company is never easy, but the potential impact of a startup can far outweigh the difficulties. This is the belief that drives us—a group of university students who have momentarily set aside our studies in physics and engineering to dive headfirst into the dynamic and unpredictable world of startups. We were once classmates and close companions at Busan Science High School, each pursuing our individual academic paths in fields like physics, electronic engineering, cybersecurity, and data science. Now, we’ve come together with a singular mission: to bring about the true digital transformation of books and text.
My name is Dongin Jung, and I’m the CEO of this startup. It all began with a spark of an idea that I worked to shape into something tangible. Starting with a small space—part of my own living quarters—and the support of my trusted teammates, Doowoo Kang and Jaehyun Park, we embarked on this journey. Together, we’ve been working tirelessly on web development and simultaneously tackling the complex task of securing investments.
Kogito service note
Our startup officially launched last fall, and though only six months have passed since then, we’ve made considerable progress. We’ve joined entrepreneurial clubs like the one at Hanyang University, performed well in various programs, and refined our ideas to create a more concrete vision. Yet, we’re still in the early stages—without substantial investment or even formal incorporation as a company. I’ll admit, as a rookie CEO, I’ve learned that startups come with steep learning curves and an overwhelming sense of responsibility.
For someone like me, who has always loved solving problems, I could have chosen the safer, more stable path of research. But there’s something incredibly exciting about solving problems through a startup—problems that directly impact people’s lives in profound ways. However, the startup world hasn’t been smooth sailing so far. We’ve participated in three investment competitions and Demo Days, only to face rejection each time. Watching other outstanding startups succeed has been humbling, but also deeply motivating.
Service chain
Even now, my teammates are coding late into the night, some dozing off at their desks, while I work on a business plan due in two days. Transitioning from a background in science and engineering to creating compelling business strategies, attracting investors, and building a brand has been anything but easy. I’ve had to reach out to friends studying business, leveraging every possible resource to make this dream a reality. At times, it feels overwhelming. Leaving behind the safety net of university and traditional career paths to venture into the unknown can be daunting. There’s no structure, no predefined guide—it’s just us, figuring things out as we go.
Working on business plan that are going to be submitted to Demo day
Idea worth revising
At Hanyang University startup center
Yet, despite the challenges, I believe in what we’ve built. The software and ideas we’ve developed are truly unique, unlike anything that exists in the world today. This is our vision, our creation, and our commitment. If one day, our software becomes widely used, it will help shape the kind of world we’ve always envisioned—a world where text and information are more accessible and freely shared. While someone else might have eventually developed something similar, we are determined to accelerate that future.
To me, startups represent a unique form of innovation. They tackle critical problems that often go unnoticed or are too difficult for large corporations to address. They bring together small groups of capable individuals who move quickly, take risks, and push boundaries to create impactful solutions. The value of such innovation is immense.
This journey hasn’t been easy, but it has been deeply fulfilling. And as we keep pushing forward, I remain optimistic about what lies ahead—because the potential to create meaningful change makes all the hardships worthwhile.
