Purpose This study is to empirically analyze the effects of youth entrepreneurship characteristics(innovativeness, risk-taking, pro-activeness), strong ties to social capital, and weak ties to social capital on college students’ entrepreneurial intention and to analyze whether there are gender differences. Methods For empirical analysis, A total of 196 samples were obtained through a Google survey targeting university students in Seoul. IBM SPSS 26 was used for statistical analysis including multiple regression analysis and T-test. Results First, in the case of youth entrepreneurship, innovativeness, risk-taking, and pro-activeness significantly affect college students’ entrepreneurial intention. Pro-activeness is the most influential variable followed by innovativeness and risk-taking in order. Second, in the relationship between social capital and entrepreneurial intention, strong ties to social capital as well as weak ties to SNS social capital significantly influence college students’ entrepreneurial intention. Third, in terms of gender differences in youth entrepreneurship, social capital, and entrepreneurial intention, male students perceived higher levels of innovation and intention to start a business than female students. Conclusion This study has provided theoretical grounds that the concept of youth entrepreneurship was introduced apart from general entrepreneurship. It was found that higher weak ties to social capital through SNS activities form a higher entrepreneurial intention and strong ties to social capital reduce the uncertainty and risk of starting a business. Finally, male students have a stronger intention to start a business than female students, so it is necessary to develop a program that considers the characteristics of gender in entrepreneurship education.