14 institutions launch Deep-Tech CORE Link cooperative framework in Daedeok R&D Special Zone

Researchers conduct R&D work at a government-funded science and technology research institute. [Herald DB]
Researchers conduct R&D work at a government-funded science and technology research institute. [Herald DB]

A new cooperative framework is being established to strengthen full-cycle support for deep tech startups drawing on research from government-funded science and technology institutes and universities.

The Daedeok R&D Special Zone office of the Research and Development Special Zone Authority said Friday it had launched Deep-Tech CORE Link, a cooperative framework designed to provide end-to-end startup support within the Daedeok R&D Special Zone.

Deep-Tech CORE Link aims to consolidate startup support capabilities across the Daedeok zone and break down barriers between institutions to build a shared support foundation.

As of the end of last year, seven of the top 10 Kosdaq-listed companies by market capitalization — including Alteogen and LigaChem Biosciences — were rooted in the Daedeok zone's innovation ecosystem. The zone concentrates 14 percent of the country's doctoral-level research workforce and 29 percent of government R&D investment, cementing its role as a cradle for deep tech entrepreneurship.

The consortium brings together 13 innovation stakeholders: seven government-funded research institutes — the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials, the Korea Institute of Energy Research, the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science, the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, and the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute — along with KAIST, the University of Science and Technology (UST), the Research and Development Special Zone Authority, the National Research Council of Science and Technology, Korea Science and Technology Holdings, Mirae Science and Technology Holdings, and JNP Global.

Participating institutions plan to maximize their respective strengths in expertise and infrastructure to generate synergies. Government research institutes will identify and nurture prospective founders and technologies, while universities will connect the effort to their in-house startup support systems. Support agencies will assist with commercialization through programs and projects, and investment institutions will add follow-on funding — together forming a collaborative governance structure spanning technology discovery through investment linkage.

Attendees pose for a commemorative photo at the Deep-Tech CORE Link launch ceremony held Friday. [Research and Development Special Zone Authority]
Attendees pose for a commemorative photo at the Deep-Tech CORE Link launch ceremony held Friday. [Research and Development Special Zone Authority]

The launch ceremony opened with a briefing on the consortium's founding purpose and operational plans, followed by a session in which member institutions shared trends in deep tech startups and related policy.

The University of Science and Technology presented its support framework and key achievements in promoting entrepreneurship among its researchers and students, while the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials shared the operational status of its KIMM Fund and its technology commercialization support programs.

An open discussion drew on the presentations to explore concrete cooperation models for linking researcher and student startup demand with technologies held by government research institutes, and channeling that into startup support programs and investment attraction.

"Deep tech startups require specialized expertise at every stage — from assessing commercialization potential and verifying technology to entering the market and securing investment," said Lim Moon-taek, head of the Daedeok Special Zone office. "Through this consortium, we will closely connect the core capabilities of each institution so that promising technologies and aspiring founders in the Daedeok zone can achieve real startup results in the market."


nbgkoo@heraldcorp.com