Diego del Alcázar, CEO of IE University
South Summit is a global entrepreneurial ecosystem event. This year, it made its debut in Korea. Originally launched in Madrid, Spain in 2012, South Summit has been closely collaborating with IE University, a globally renowned institution, for the past 13 years, contributing to the event’s remarkable history.
At this year’s South Summit, world-renowned innovators, including roboticist Dennis Hong, delivered insightful talks to startup founders and students. The event served as a platform where experts from the AI and Deep Tech sectors gathered to exchange groundbreaking ideas and technologies.
In celebration of South Summit, an in-depth interview was conducted between Diego del Alcázar, CEO of IE University and Danny Han, CEO of DIOKOS, where they discussed the global expansion of South Summit, the significance of its collaboration with IE University, and the reasons behind hosting the event in Korea.
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Danny Han(DIOKOS): What is the relationship between South Summit and IE University?
Diego del Alcázar(IE University): South Summit and IE University have a profound relationship. We’ve been together since the very beginning of South Summit, and we share a lot of values, such as innovation and the spirit of entrepreneurship. South Summit has made a global impact as a startup platform in a very short time, and throughout this journey, IE University has naturally grown alongside it. We believe that entrepreneurship is not just about starting a business but a way of life, and in that sense, South Summit and IE University are a perfect match.
Diego del Alcázar, CEO of IE University
What was it like when South Summit first launched?
In 2013, when I participated in South Summit, it was during a financial crisis, which was a great motivator for many people. At that time, South Summit was in its second year, and the brand was just starting out. The reason IE University decided to collaborate with South Summit was that both shared a strong focus on entrepreneurship and innovation. Even in tough times, our goal was to help people take on the challenge of entrepreneurship. We found a mutual connection in values, leading to our collaboration.
Diego del Alcázar, CEO of IE University
How much has South Summit grown since then?
Today, South Summit has become one of the largest startup events in Spain and Latin America. It has also grown to be one of the biggest events in Europe. I believe the biggest key to its success is the passion of South Summit’s founder, María Benjumea. From the start, she had a clear vision, and her team was outstanding, which led to the current success. The team now consists of about 40-50 people, and they receive substantial support in preparing each event.
Diego del Alcázar, CEO of IE University(left), Danny Han, CEO of DIOKOS(right)
Is South Summit held outside of Spain?
Yes, that’s correct. We’ve been holding the event in Brazil for three years now. It has grown into a major event with over 30,000 participants and hundreds of startups. Brazil was the first international event outside of Spain, and the second is right here in Korea. Now, we are hosting South Summit across Europe, the Americas, and Asia, and Korea is an especially important market for us.
Why did you choose Korea?
Korea is a technologically advanced market, and we wanted to add more diversity to the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Gyeonggi Province in Korea showed great interest in this model, which led us to host South Summit here. We believe Korea has the potential to play a pivotal role in the global entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Diego del Alcázar, CEO of IE University(left), Danny Han, CEO of DIOKOS(right)
What makes South Summit stand out?
South Summit stands out due to its global nature and unique culture. We reflect the open, spontaneous, and less structured nature of the people from the ‘South.’ As a result, South Summit has a friendly and free-spirited atmosphere, which resonates well with the various regions we expand into, including Korea.
I’ve heard that IE University has established a campus in New York. How is it going?
Yes, to commemorate IE University’s 50th anniversary, we established a campus in New York. It’s a fully accredited university by the New York State Department of Education. We are welcoming international students and helping them gain valuable experience in New York. Since New York is home to numerous global companies, we also offer a visa allowing graduates to stay for two years after completing their studies. The programs typically last 12 months, and students can stay for a total of three years, including their post-graduation visa.
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