Korea is planting the seeds of deep tech unicorns in its research and development special zones.
The Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) and the Innopolis Foundation announced Monday that they are launching the "5-3 R&D Special Zone Deep Tech Support Program" to promote balanced regional development and invigorate deep tech-based technology startups.
The program aims to provide "seamless, all-encompassing support for technology commercialization" through a two-track system that connects planning-stage startup support (Phase 1) with early-stage scale-up support (Phase 2). A supplementary budget of 6 billion won ($4.3 million) will be allocated in stages, with 2 billion won for Phase 1 and 4 billion won for Phase 2.
Phase 1 projects will identify deep tech with strong commercialization potential, centered on public research institutions such as government-funded research institutes and universities, with participation from private-sector expert groups specializing in areas including investment and incubation. Based on these efforts, approximately 40 prospective startup teams will be formed, with intensive support across the entire pre-launch process, including business model advancement, to drive startup success.
Phase 2 projects will support technology advancement for around 16 deep tech-based early-stage startups. Support will be provided to consortia comprising companies, research institutions, and commercialization specialists, covering prototype development, testing and certification, and commercialization for successful market entry.
Applications will be accepted until May 21.
The MSIT and the Innopolis Foundation expressed their commitment to fostering specialized deep tech companies focused on "growth" and "regional development" beyond mere startup creation, by combining the deep tech resources of public research institutions with private-sector capabilities.
The MSIT and the Innopolis Foundation have designated deep tech—a key to securing national security and economic leadership—as a new engine for national and regional economic growth, and have pursued the sector's revitalization as a top priority.
As of the end of last year, seven of the top 10 companies by market capitalization on the KOSDAQ, including Alteogen and LigaChem Biosciences, are based in the innovation ecosystem of the R&D special zones. With 14% of Korea's Ph.D.-level researchers and 29% of government R&D investment concentrated in the Daedeok Special Zone, the R&D special zones—home to top-tier science and engineering talent and national R&D infrastructure—are serving as the cradle of deep tech entrepreneurship.
"Because deep tech is a high-difficulty, high-cost field, programs that reflect its unique characteristics are essential," said Chung Hee-kwon, chairman of the Innopolis Foundation. "As a full-cycle platform responsible for everything from technology startups to scale-up, we will ensure that the six metropolitan special zones and 13 small but strong special zones serve as forward bases for global deep tech innovation."
