Efforts to support the technology commercialization of aerospace and defense companies within the Daedeok Special Zone are gaining momentum.
The Daedeok Innopolis Headquarters of the Innopolis Foundation announced on the 20th that it will host the "2026 Daedeok Special Zone Aerospace Innovation Forum" on July 27, together with the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), at the D-Unicorn Lounge on the 20th floor of the Daejeon Science Complex.
The forum aims to expand exchanges between companies and research institutions in aerospace, a strategic industry of the Daedeok Special Zone. It will share information needed throughout the technology commercialization process—from public technology transfer to demonstration and commercialization—as well as best practices from aerospace companies within the special zone.
KARI will explain its technology transfer procedures and corporate cooperation programs, and share the operational direction and participation methods for the "Aerospace and Defense Open Innovation" program, which it plans to jointly pursue with the special zone foundation in November. The program matches the technology needs of large and mid-sized companies with promising firms (technologies) within the special zone to identify opportunities for technology cooperation and joint projects.
The Daedeok Innopolis Headquarters will introduce major support systems available to special zone companies, including research institute companies and advanced technology companies, as well as regional innovation demonstration projects that support companies' technology verification and commercialization.
Best practices from companies that have grown by utilizing the special zone's support projects and systems will also be presented.
Narma CEO Kwon Ki-jung, a former KARI researcher, will introduce his success story of developing and commercializing an electric small tiltrotor drone. After founding the company in 2018, he registered it as "KARI's first research institute company" through KARI's technology investment, and utilized the research institute company system and the special zone development project (R&D).
Hwang In-seol, a manager at Link9 System, will present the company's growth process based on the special zone's research and industrial ecosystem, developing defense industry software such as ground forces tactical data links after establishing operations in the Daedeok Special Zone. He will also present a case of verifying technology in an actual operating environment through the Daedeok Special Zone demonstration project and linking it to commercialization.
The Daedeok Innopolis Headquarters plans to use this forum as an opportunity to expand exchanges between aerospace companies and research institutions and to actively support connections leading to public technology transfer, joint research, and commercialization cooperation.
Any innovative companies and officials from related institutions that hold aerospace and defense technologies or business models can participate, and they can apply in advance through the special zone foundation's website by July 24.
"We will expand industry-research exchanges in the aerospace field of the Daedeok Special Zone and strengthen the foundation for cooperation so that public technology can lead to the commercialization and growth of companies," said Im Moon-taek, head of the Daedeok Innopolis Headquarters.
