The Soul of Innovation: ICSB’s Seoul Signature Event Reimagines Entrepreneurship in the A.I. World
Human-Centered Thinking Takes Center Stage as ICSB Launches New Global Signature Forum Series
Seoul, South Korea – The International Council for Small Business (ICSB) is convening a transformative two-day Signature Event in Seoul on October 24-25, 2025, under the powerful theme “The Soul of Innovation: Human-Centered Thinking in the A.I. World.” Led by Dr. Ki-Chan Kim (ICSB Chairman) and Dr. Ayman El Tarabishy (ICSB President & CEO), this landmark gathering brings together global leaders, academics, entrepreneurs, and policymakers to explore how emerging technologies can elevate human values rather than replace them.
Set against the backdrop of Korea’s rich legacy of empathy and education, and drawing inspiration from the wisdom of King Sejong the Great, the Seoul event marks the second in ICSB’s new series of boutique Signature Events—intimate, high-impact forums designed to reimagine entrepreneurship in a rapidly evolving world. Building on momentum from Sydney, this gathering, hosted in partnership with Soongsil University, represents a pivotal moment where ethics, purpose, and compassion converge with cutting-edge innovation.
Day One: The Soul of Innovation Forum (October 24)
Morning Sessions: Where Human Values Meet Technological Advancement
The forum opens with distinguished speakers exploring the central question: How can we harness A.I. and emerging technologies to amplify human potential rather than diminish it? Dr. Ayman El Tarabishy, President of ICSB and Professor at George Washington University, serves as Master of Ceremonies, alongside welcome remarks from Ki-Chan Kim, Chairman of ICSB—the two visionary leaders driving ICSB’s global conversation on human-centered innovation.
The opening ceremony features congratulatory messages from an impressive roster of global leaders, including Winslow Sargeant, Former Senior Advisor to President Obama on Small Business; Oh Joon, Seventy-first President of the Economic and Social Council, United Nations; Yoon-Jae Lee, President of Soongsil University; Jong-Jae Lee, CEO & Vice Chairman of E-Today; and Jae-Ho Choi, Secretary General of the Chung Mong-Koo Foundation.
Visionary Keynote Presentations
The morning’s keynote sessions bring together international thought leaders exploring the intersection of human values and business excellence:
Dr. David Sprott, Dean of the prestigious Drucker School of Management at Claremont Graduate University, will address “Human Centricity and the Future of Management,” drawing on Peter Drucker’s pioneering insights into people-centered leadership.
Stanley Au, Chairman of Delta Asia Group, presents “The Heart of Banking: A Story of Humane Entrepreneurship,” sharing practical wisdom on integrating human values into financial services.
Paul Chan, Founder & Chancellor of HELP University in Malaysia, explores “Humane Entrepreneurship in Higher Education,” examining how educational institutions can cultivate ethical, human-centered business leaders.
Ahmed Osman, Former ICSB President and Chair of ICSB 2025 Cairo, provides insights into the “Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in Egypt and Beyond,” offering a global perspective on MSME development.
King Sejong’s Legacy: Ancient Wisdom for the A.I. Age
In a profound exploration of Korea’s philosophical contributions to entrepreneurship, the forum features a unique cultural presentation examining King Sejong the Great—the visionary 15th-century Korean monarch whose people-first leadership and commitment to education revolutionized Korean society. Artist Byung-In Kang will perform “King Sejong, Dreaming for His People,” followed by thematic presentations from Hyun-Mo Park, Director of the Sejong Institute for National Governance, and Ki-Chan Kim.
This session powerfully connects Sejong’s humanistic principles—his creation of the Korean alphabet to empower ordinary people, his emphasis on evidence-based governance, and his unwavering commitment to human dignity—with today’s imperative to ensure that A.I. and technology serve humanity’s highest aspirations. Just as Sejong democratized knowledge through literacy, today’s entrepreneurs must democratize innovation through ethical, accessible technology.
Celebrating Academic Excellence: A Korean First
The forum marks a historic milestone by celebrating the first-ever international journal publication on Humane Entrepreneurship, based on a South Korean case study. This groundbreaking research, featured in the Journal of the International Council for Small Business (JICSB), examines the remarkable turnaround of DGB Life Insurance.
Do-Jin Kim, Former CEO of IBK Bank, will offer congratulatory remarks, followed by the case presentation of DGB Life Insurance’s transformation from the country’s worst-performing life insurer to an industry leader. The session culminates with an award ceremony honoring Seong-Han Kim, Former CEO of DGB Life Insurance, for excellence in humane entrepreneurship.
Afternoon Deep Dives: From Theory to Practice
Session 2: Stakeholder Management and Corporate Innovation
Co-hosted by the Korean Stakeholder Management Association and ICSB, this session explores how stakeholder-centric approaches drive corporate innovation. Dong-Ki Lee, President of KSMA and Professor Emeritus at Seoul National University, opens the session.
Featured presentations include:
- Hyun-Han Shin (Yonsei University): “Why Did U.S. Manufacturing Fail? Clash of Industrial and Financial Capital”
- Tae-Woo Noh (Hanyang University): “Corporate Innovation from the Perspective of Stakeholder Management: The Kyobo Life Case”
The session features distinguished discussants, including Chang-Soo Lee, Professor Emeritus at Soongsil University and Former President of the Korean Insurance Association.
Session 3: Global Academic Paper Sessions
International scholars present cutting-edge research on contemporary entrepreneurship challenges:
- International Standardization: Jack Yao (CCPIT, China) proposes PAS for international standardization of Humane Entrepreneurship
- Organizational Culture: Atsushi Kato explores leveraging external legitimacy to build humane entrepreneurship in SMEs
- AI and Born-Global Startups: Yongseok Jang, David Choi, and Seongmin Jeon examine internationalization strategies
- Cross-Cultural AI Education: Forhad Hossain reimagines entrepreneurship education in the AI era
- Generative AI in Academia: Yuka Ishihara, Takeru Marui, and Takuto Koyama present evidence from undergraduate courses
- Dynamic Capabilities: Pooreum Ryu investigates SME AI capability integration in Korean enterprises
- Export Competitiveness: Research on ISO perceptions and policy supports in Korean cosmetics SMEs
Session 5: The Philosophical Roots of K-Entrepreneurship
The Nammyeong K-Entrepreneurship Academy Session explores the philosophical foundations of Korean business excellence through two groundbreaking presentations:
“The Origin of K-Entrepreneurship: Nammyung Philosophy and the Flow of Korean Pragmatism” examines how ancient Korean philosophy influences modern entrepreneurial practices, presented by Dae-Yul Jeong (Dean, Gyeongsang National University), Won-Seok Bang (Research Professor), and Ki-Chan Kim.
“Nammyeong Thought and the Entrepreneurship of LG’s Founder” traces the intellectual lineage connecting traditional Korean philosophy to one of the world’s leading conglomerates.
Day Two: Strategic Partnerships and Legacy Building (October 25)
Part I: Honoring Excellence – The ICSB Fellow Appointment
Day two opens with a moving tribute ceremony honoring Former President Yoon-Bae Uh, whose visionary leadership profoundly shaped ICSB’s legacy. President Yoon-Jae Lee and ICSB President Ayman El Tarabishy deliver welcome remarks, followed by congratulatory messages from Winslow Sargeant and Seok Yong-Chan, Honorary Chairman of MainBiz.
The ceremony culminates with Dr. Uh’s official appointment to the prestigious ICSB Fellow designation – a distinguished honor celebrating 70 exceptional leaders whose vision and achievements have advanced micro, small business, and entrepreneurship worldwide. This historic recognition commemorates seven decades of ICSB’s legacy while charting an ambitious course for the next 70 years of global leadership and innovation.
Part II: The Strategic Partnership Declaration
In a landmark moment for entrepreneurship education, Soongsil University and ICSB formally announce their Vision & Strategic Partnership Declaration, launching a new chapter in global collaboration.
The partnership encompasses three critical pillars:
Research & Academic Exchange
- Joint publications in leading academic journals
- ICSB-hosted panels featuring collaborative research
- Cross-institutional knowledge sharing and innovation
Entrepreneurship Development
- Student and faculty engagement programs
- International delegations and exchanges
- Entrepreneurship competitions and skill-building initiatives
Global Network & Resources
- Access to ICSB’s worldwide ecosystem spanning 100+ countries
- Strategic support from global entrepreneurship experts
- Resource sharing and partnership opportunities
The ICSB Knowledge Hub: Building Tomorrow’s Ecosystem
The signing ceremony for the ICSB Knowledge Hub marks an ambitious initiative designed to unite research, education, and practice. This transformative platform will empower students, strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems, and amplify innovation worldwide. The Knowledge Hub celebrates ICSB’s 70-year legacy while committing to shaping the next 70 years of entrepreneurial leadership.
Part III: Success Stories That Transform Industries
Dr. Ayman El Tarabishy and Ki-Chan Kim present an in-depth analysis of “Human-Centered Strategy in Mature Markets: The DGB Life Insurance Case.”
This compelling case study reveals how CEO Kim Seong-han transformed DGB Life Insurance from 2020 to 2024, achieving:
- 750% increase in net income
- Industry-leading customer retention rates
- Complete cultural transformation
- Shift from worst-performing to industry leader status
The research demonstrates how human-centered entrepreneurship – integrating people-centered management with traditional entrepreneurial orientation – can drive superior performance even in mature, competitive industries. The analysis employs the CORE performance model (Capacity + Opportunity + Relevant Exchanges = Performance) and innovation leadership frameworks.
Part IV: Opening New Frontiers in Scholarship
ICSB announces the launch of its Open Journals initiative, representing a significant commitment to democratizing entrepreneurship research. The centerpiece is the new Entrepreneurship and Innovation Review (EIR), which will provide open access to cutting-edge research that bridges theory and practice.
This initiative underscores ICSB’s dedication to inclusive knowledge-sharing, ensuring that groundbreaking insights reach scholars, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and students worldwide, regardless of institutional resources.
Part V: The President’s Luncheon
The forum concludes with an intimate gathering hosted by Soongsil University President Yoon-Jae Lee, bringing together ICSB leaders, academic partners, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and honored guests. This distinguished luncheon provides an opportunity to reflect on the forum’s insights, strengthen global connections, and exchange perspectives on the future of entrepreneurship and small business development.
The Soul of Innovation: Why This Theme Matters Now
The forum’s central theme—”The Soul of Innovation: Human-Centered Thinking in the A.I. World”—addresses one of the most pressing questions facing entrepreneurs, educators, and policymakers today: As artificial intelligence reshapes every aspect of business and society, how do we ensure that innovation serves human flourishing rather than diminishing it?
Korea provides the ideal setting for this exploration. With its unique blend of Confucian values emphasizing human relationships and social harmony, combined with world-leading technological infrastructure, Korea demonstrates that cutting-edge innovation and deep humanistic values need not be in tension. The nation’s emphasis on education, community, and ethical leadership—principles embodied by King Sejong—offers a compelling model for “humane entrepreneurship” in the A.I. age.
The Seoul Signature Event explores critical dimensions of this challenge:
Ethics in the Age of A.I.: How do entrepreneurs build ethical frameworks into A.I.-driven business models? What responsibilities do innovators have to ensure their technologies promote human dignity?
Purpose-Driven Innovation: Moving beyond profit maximization to create businesses that solve meaningful human problems while leveraging technological capabilities.
Compassion at Scale: Using A.I. to amplify human empathy and connection rather than replacing human judgment and care.
Democratizing Innovation: Ensuring that the benefits of A.I. and emerging technologies reach micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises—not just tech giants.
Preserving the Human Essence: Maintaining what makes us distinctly human—creativity, wisdom, moral reasoning, and emotional intelligence—while embracing technological augmentation.
ICSB’s New Signature Event Series: Intimate Forums for Global Impact
The Seoul gathering represents a strategic evolution in ICSB’s programming. Following the successful launch in Sydney, ICSB is introducing a series of boutique Signature Events—smaller, more focused gatherings that complement the organization’s flagship World Congress.
While the annual World Congress brings together thousands of participants for comprehensive programming, Signature Events offer:
Intimate Scale: Curated gatherings of 100-200 thought leaders, enabling deeper dialogue and meaningful connections
Focused Themes: Each event centers on a single critical question facing the entrepreneurship ecosystem
Regional Perspectives: Hosted in entrepreneurial hubs worldwide, showcasing diverse approaches to innovation and business development
High-Impact Format: Combining keynote insights, case studies, research presentations, and interactive sessions designed for immediate application
Legacy Building: Creating lasting partnerships, publications, and initiatives that extend beyond the event itself
The Seoul event exemplifies this model, combining the intimacy needed for profound dialogue with the global reach and academic rigor that define ICSB’s mission.
About the International Council for Small Business
Founded in 1955, ICSB is the oldest and largest organization dedicated to supporting micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises worldwide. With members across 70+ countries, ICSB provides knowledge, research, networking opportunities, and advocacy for the small business community. The organization successfully championed the establishment of UN MSMEs Day (June 27) and publishes leading academic journals, including the Journal of Small Business Management and the Journal of the International Council for Small Business.
About Soongsil University
Located in Seoul, South Korea, Soongsil University is a premier institution committed to academic excellence, innovation, and global collaboration. With a strong focus on entrepreneurship education and research, Soongsil has established itself as a key partner in advancing business education and fostering the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders.
From Seoul to Cairo: A Year of Transformation
The Seoul Signature Event serves as a powerful bridge to ICSB’s 70th anniversary World Congress in Cairo, Egypt (November 25-27, 2025), themed “Innovation Unleashed.” Together, these gatherings create a complementary dialogue:
Seoul’s intimate exploration of how human values and A.I. can coexist harmoniously provides the philosophical foundation for Cairo’s expansive celebration of ICSB’s seven-decade legacy and vision for the future. The insights generated in Seoul—about ethics, purpose, and compassion in innovation—will inform Cairo’s broader examination of how MSMEs worldwide can unleash innovation while remaining true to human-centered principles.
This progression from boutique Signature Event to comprehensive World Congress demonstrates ICSB’s multi-layered approach to advancing the global entrepreneurship conversation.
- Dates: October 24-25, 2025
- Location: Seoul, South Korea (Soongsil University and partner venues)
- Host: International Council for Small Business (ICSB) in partnership with Soongsil University
- Theme: Humane Entrepreneurship and Global Innovation
For more information about attending or participating in ICSB events, visit www.icsb.org