UD Impact

What UD Impact does

UD Impact (유디임팩트, formerly Underdogs) is a Seoul-headquartered ESG solutions company that operates a multi-subsidiary platform converting entrepreneurship training, social-value measurement, and AI talent development into execution-oriented programs for enterprises, universities, government bodies, and entrepreneurs. Founded in 2015 and rebranded in 2025 ahead of a planned IPO, the company runs three core product lines: Underdogs (언더독스) for execution-focused startup and entrepreneurship education; KSVA (한국사회가치평가, acquired 2024) for ESG measurement and social-value assessment; and F-Lab (에프랩앤컴퍼니, acquired 2025) for AI and developer talent development via 1:1 mentoring from big-tech engineers. The platform also offers an AI-based MICE ESG impact-report automation service launched in 2025 and an AI Learning Management System with proprietary video education content.

The company's technology stack combines workflow AI features (ESG report automation, content generation via the Metel/Syndy.ai partnership, an AI LMS) with a human-led delivery model executed through a network of 469 executing partners and structured programs such as the Hana Social Venture University (30 hub universities, 1,500 entrepreneurs annually). UD Impact operates across Korea, Japan (local subsidiary, 2025), India (UD Impact India, Gurgaon, March 2026), and Southeast Asia (Indonesia via SK Innovation E&S MAJU:ON program), with regulatory credentials including B Corp certification, Korean innovation-type Social Enterprise status, and Venture Business certification.

Revenue is generated primarily through professional-services engagements: corporate ESG consulting and measurement via KSVA, university entrepreneurship program fees via Underdogs, AI talent development via F-Lab, and government contracts for regional startup ecosystem development. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. The company bootstrapped for 10 years before raising a pre-IPO round in 2025 and has Mirae Asset Securities pre-selected as IPO lead manager (2023). Quantified outcomes cited by the company include 25,000+ entrepreneurs trained, 469 active partners, and cumulative revenue reported at KRW 700 billion over the 10-year period — a figure that appears anomalously high relative to disclosed headcount and warrants verification.

Name

UD Impact

Legal name

주식회사 유디임팩트

Website

https://udimpact.ai

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

UD Impact is a Seoul-based ESG solutions company operating Underdogs (entrepreneurship education), KSVA (social-value measurement), and F-Lab (AI talent development) to serve enterprises, universities, government bodies, and entrepreneurs across Korea, Japan, India, and Southeast Asia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

ESG Consulting and Sustainability Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171), Educational Support Services (611710), Computer Training (611420)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Change Management & Organizational Development (OD) Training (EDABAIAJ)

Keywords

• ESG consulting services
• Entrepreneurship education programs
• Social value measurement
• AI talent development
• Sustainability strategy

Headquarters

HQ city

Seoul

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Entrepreneurship Education Programs: Execution-centered entrepreneurship training programs for universities, corporations, and government organizations. Programs include underdogs brand startup education, F-Lab AI talent development, and corporate talent development solutions. Revenue generated through program fees, corporate partnerships, and government contracts.
2. ESG Consulting and Measurement: ESG strategy development, measurement, and evaluation services through KSVA (한국사회가치평가) subsidiary. Services include organizational ESG strategy from establishment, mid-to-long-term ESG planning, and core purpose business development for large enterprises and nonprofit organizations.
3. Global Expansion and Licensing: Pre-IPO investment raised in 2025, with IPO main manager selected (Mirae Asset Securities) in 2023. Company name changed to UD Impact in 2025. Operations expanding to Japan (local corporation established) and India (UD Impact India launched March 2026).

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

UD Impact is a global ESG solutions company that delivers execution-centered entrepreneurship education, social value measurement, and AI talent development through three operating subsidiaries: underdogs (entrepreneurship education programs), KSVA (한국사회가치평가, ESG measurement and evaluation), and F-Lab (AI developer education). It also offers an AI-based MICE ESG impact report automation service for enterprises, universities, and government bodies across Korea and Asia.

Product overview

UD Impact is a global ESG comprehensive solutions company operating a platform-plus-subsidiaries model with three core business units: underdogs provides execution-focused startup education, KSVA (한국사회가치평가) delivers ESG measurement and social value assessment services, and F-Lab offers AI-powered technology talent development education. The company also launched AI-based MICE ESG impact report automation services. Together, these products enable end-to-end support from entrepreneurship training through social impact measurement and ESG reporting.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 언더독스 (Underdogs): Startup entrepreneurship education and training programs
• 한국사회가치평가 (KSVA)
• 에프랩 (F-Lab)

Products and services

• Underdogs (언더독스) Entrepreneurship Education Program Proprietary execution-centered startup education and corporate talent development program with integrated essential training, cultivated approximately 20,000+ entrepreneurs over 10 years with cumulative sales of 700 billion KRW. Sold to universities, corporations, and government bodies.
• KSVA (한국사회가치평가) ESG Measurement and Social Value Assessment ESG measurement and assessment service that measures social value and develops strategic approaches for organizations' ESG and mid-to-long-term core business strategies. Provided to large enterprises and non-profit partners.
• F-Lab (에프랩) AI Talent Development Platform AI technology competency development education platform providing 1:1 online mentoring from big tech company mentors combined with community-based learning systems for future industry AI talent cultivation.
• AI-based MICE ESG Impact Report Automation Service AI-powered service that automates the generation of ESG impact reports for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) events, streamlining sustainability reporting processes.
• Hana Social Venture University Program First-of-its-kind hub-university-linked youth entrepreneurship incubation program in Korea that cultivates 1,500 local-based entrepreneurship talents annually across 30 partner universities to address regional decline.

Quantifiable outcome

• 25,000+ entrepreneurs trained over 10 years
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Unicorn IncubatorcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 May 2026UD Impact participated in Tech Sangam, a Korea-India deep-tech open innovation platform launched by Unicorn Incubator. The platform aims to transition South Korean deep-tech into the Indian market and vice versa, with UD Impact joining as one of six South Korean startups in the inaugural cohort.
• UD Impact IndiacoreOthers · 14 March 2026UD Impact India officially launched on March 14, 2026 in Gurgaon, India, with a ceremony bringing together around 50 industry leaders, founders, and ecosystem partners from India and Korea. The initiative aims to act as a bridge connecting entrepreneurs, organizations, and institutions from both ecosystems.
• Beautiful Foundation (아름다운재단)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 January 2026MOU for cultivating public welfare activists and innovative entrepreneurs. Partnership includes customized support for single parents, women, youth, and small business owners, with technical and education-based social innovation programs.
• HackdarShark (하크다르샤크)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 January 2026MOU for Korea-India startup ecosystem innovation. UD Impact's AI LMS and video education content will be provided through HackdarShark's digital and field-based network in India, with joint development of entrepreneur coach training programs for regional leaders.
• Angel Investment AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Cooperation for strengthening startup AI capabilities in Korea.
• Cafe24minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2025Partnership with Gangneung-Wonju National University and UD Impact for Wonju small business shopping mall education program. Free practical training for local small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs on online sales expansion.
• SK Innovation E&ScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2025Collaboration on MAJU:ON youth entrepreneurship support initiative in energy and environmental sectors since 2025. The program fostered approximately 130 startup teams and around 460 young Indonesian entrepreneurs over 10 months, with awards totaling USD 8,000 and interest-free loans of KRW 20 million through a joint fund with ANGIN.
• Circle.WorkminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025MOU with Indian co-working brand Circle.Work for cooperation in entrepreneurship education and social innovation.
• BATminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Business agreement for small business digital transformation with BAT.
• Le Mont (르몽)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025MOU for building AI startup ecosystem for small businesses.
• Liner (라이너)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Business agreement with Liner for unspecified cooperation.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Echoing Green: Global social enterprise fellowship and leadership network that identifies and supports emerging social entrepreneurs. Directly comparable to UD Impact's social enterprise mission, B Corp-aligned positioning, and combination of leadership development with impact measurement.
• Ashoka: Largest global network of social entrepreneurs with fellows in 90+ countries. Comparable to UD Impact's social entrepreneur cultivation model through underdogs, and aligned in mission around systemic social change through entrepreneurship.
• Impact Hub: Global network supporting impact entrepreneurs through local hubs, accelerator programs, and ecosystem partnerships. Highly comparable to UD Impact's mission of building entrepreneur ecosystems with measurable social impact, though Impact Hub operates a co-working/franchise model rather than an integrated education + ESG measurement platform.
• Acumen: Global impact investor and social enterprise support organization combining patient capital, leadership programs (Acumen Academy), and impact measurement. Comparable in mission to UD Impact's integrated model spanning ESG strategy, social value measurement (KSVA), and entrepreneur education.
• Antler: Global early-stage VC and accelerator that provides founder education, mentorship, and capital across multiple continents including strong Asia presence. Comparable to UD Impact's underdogs program in combining entrepreneurship education with cohort-based founder development.
• General Assembly: Global training provider offering courses in tech, data, and business skills with corporate upskilling programs. Directly comparable to UD Impact's F-Lab subsidiary in AI and developer education, including 1:1 mentoring and corporate talent development programs.

Regional players

• Riiid: Korean AI education company applying machine learning to personalized learning, with strong enterprise and test-prep offerings. Closest Korean peer for UD Impact's F-Lab AI talent development and AI-based LMS, though Riiid focuses on K-12/test prep rather than entrepreneur/developer upskilling.

Broad incumbents

• Plug and Play: Large global innovation platform and accelerator running 50+ industry-specific programs across 40+ locations. Broader incumbent that overlaps with UD Impact's accelerator-style entrepreneurship programming but with a venture capital backbone rather than an ESG/social enterprise focus.
• Techstars: Global accelerator operating mentor-driven programs with strong corporate partnership and ESG-adjacent programs (Techstars Impact). Comparable in accelerator mechanics and corporate partner engagement model to UD Impact's partnership-driven GTM motion.
• 500 Global: Global venture capital firm and accelerator (formerly 500 Startups) running startup education programs and founder development across emerging markets including India, Indonesia, and Southeast Asia. Comparable geographic expansion strategy to UD Impact's India and Indonesia push, though profit-driven rather than ESG-mission driven.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors4 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about UD Impact