Hwashin Georgia recently donated $10,000 to support the J. Donald Lee Center for Entrepreneurship’s annual Business Plan Competition, which is open to all VSU students, regardless of major or business experience. Throughout this multi-week event, participating students develop their understanding of a successful business plan, including how to create a business plan. In return they are provided expert feedback from industry leaders and the opportunity to win seed money to help turn their ideas into reality.

“This competition helps students gain real-world experience, enhances their entrepreneurial skills, and provides them with the chance to win financial support for their ventures,” said Dr. Byeonghwa Park, assistant professor of management for VSU’s Harley Langdale Jr. College of Business Administration and director of the J. Donald Lee Center for Entrepreneurship. “It also promotes student engagement with industry leaders and potential future employers like Hwashin.”

The J. Donald Lee Center for Entrepreneurship will begin accepting applications for this year’s Business Plan Competition in November. Students have nearly three months to register for the event and submit their initial business ideas. The final round of the competition takes place in April, when the finalists present their full business plans to a panel of judges. 

Hwashin, a specialized manufacturer of chassis and body parts for automobiles, was established in Korea in 1975. Following its successful expansion into Greenville, Alabama, in 2003, the company is now making a significant new investment in Dublin, Georgia, with a goal to begin mass production by December 2025.

“As part of this expansion, Hwashin looks forward to a strong partnership with Valdosta State University and anticipates positive outcomes from the Business Plan Competition supported by Hwashin,” said Sungkee Kim, chief executive officer of Hwashin Georgia. “The company aspires to be a valuable contributor to the economic growth of the Georgia region.”

VSU’s Harley Langdale Jr. College of Business Administration opened the J. Donald Lee Center for Entrepreneurship in early 2023. Located in Pound Hall on the Rea and Lillian Steel North Campus, it brings emerging student entrepreneurs, faculty, staff, and industry leaders together to ignite a spirit of innovation and foster connections that extend across the university, the region, and even the world. It offers a wide range of resources, technology, equipment, and mentorship needed to unlock the potential of the next startup generation.

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