KAIST, IDIS to Open Silicon Valley Startup Campus

The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) is further strengthening its presence on the global stage by establishing a new base in Silicon Valley, the heartland of global startups. Through a strategic partnership with security technology company IDIS, KAIST plans to create the 'KAIST Silicon Valley IDIS Campus' in Redwood City, California, USA, and cultivate future entrepreneurial talent there. According to the business agreement signed on April 22nd at KAIST's main campus in Daejeon, IDIS purchased a three-story building in Redwood City with a site area of 11,938㎡ and a building area of 3,283㎡, agreeing to jointly utilize it with KAIST for the next 20 years. This space will provide practical experience, including entrepreneurship education and local company internships, to KAIST students dispatched starting from the fall semester of 2025. The establishment of this Silicon Valley campus marks KAIST's second venture into the U.S., following the research-focused 'KAIST NYU Joint Campus' co-established with New York University in 2022. Notably, while the New York campus concentrates on advanced research in areas such as artificial intelligence and neuroscience, the Silicon Valley campus differentiates itself by emphasizing entrepreneurship education and practical experience. Kim Young-dal, Chairman of IDIS, recalled the invaluable experience he gained through a Silicon Valley internship while studying at KAIST 30 years ago, emphasizing that this collaboration will open up practical global startup opportunities for KAIST students. Lee Kwang-hyung, President of KAIST, also expressed his aspiration to fully embark on nurturing global entrepreneurial talent through this campus and position it as a platform connecting the world and the future. Leveraging this agreement, both institutions plan to build a cooperation network with local companies, operate innovative entrepreneurship education programs, and accelerate the discovery and cultivation of entrepreneurial talent poised to thrive on the global stage.