[Global Finance Awards] KB Kookmin Bank runs mentoring school for SMEs

MUTUAL GROWTH/ BANK
KB KOOKMIN BANK

South Korea’s leading lender KB Kookmin Bank has been supporting early-stage entrepreneurs by conducting a mentoring and consulting program called KB Soho Mentoring School.

The bank on Nov. 1 held a graduation ceremony for participants to the second round of the program dedicated to those starting a social enterprise. 

Some 40 early-stage entrepreneurs have participated in the seven-week-long program to obtain professional skills as a small business owner.

Entrepreneurs such as Doh Hyun-myung, Han Sang-yeob, Shim Jae-woo, who are experts in the field of social enterprises, joined the program as mentors. They delivered the business know-how and expertise including social impact investment strategy, business negotiation and business response strategy.

KB Kookmin Bank has also matched the participants of the KB Soho Mentoring School with KB Soho Consulting Center leaders so that the early-stage entrepreneurs can gain corporate financing tips and new business operation ideas. 

During the graduation ceremony, participating entrepreneurs gave presentations on ideas for cooperative efforts among social enterprises. 

The selected ideas have been awarded and will be applied to KB Kookmin Bank’s corporate social responsibility activities, the bank said. 

“We hope KB Soho Mentoring School program can work as a compass for entrepreneurs from various fields who seek strengthened business performance. We will continue to put efforts to become the citizens’ life-long partner under our motto as a group that leads the world-changing finance,” said a KB Kookmin Bank official.

By Kim Da-sol (ddd@heraldcorp.com)