'Innopolis L.E.A.D.' kicks off with 26 technology commercialization specialists selected for inaugural cohort

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

A new program to train professional managers for regional deep-tech companies is getting underway, targeting firms that struggle to attract investment and pursue initial public offerings despite strong technology capabilities — largely because they lack experienced management talent.

The Ministry of Science and ICT and the Research and Development Special Zone Foundation launched the "2026 Innopolis Scale-up Expert L.E.A.D." program Thursday at the Daedeok TechBiz Center, marking the start of a 16-week curriculum.

The program — the first of its kind — was designed to systematically develop professional managers capable of driving growth and scaling up companies in research and development special zones. It is run in partnership with KAIST's Center for Technology Management and Innovation.

"L.E.A.D." stands for Listing, Expert C-Level, Advancement and Deep-tech Innovation. Twenty-six participants were selected for the inaugural cohort — including corporate executives, technology commercialization specialists and officials from government-funded research institutes — based on their potential to contribute to the development of Daedeok Innopolis.

The foundation's push to cultivate professional managers stems from a persistent shortage of management talent that hampers regional deep-tech companies as they move from technology development into full-scale growth.

While companies in research and development special zones have increasingly listed on Kosdaq through technology-exception listings, many still struggle during the preparation process due to gaps in expertise covering growth strategy, fundraising, finance and legal affairs. The concentration of relevant professionals in the Greater Seoul area makes it especially difficult for regional companies to secure the talent they need.

An aerial view of Daedeok Innopolis. [Herald DB]
An aerial view of Daedeok Innopolis. [Herald DB]

The curriculum was designed to meet those on-the-ground needs. It focuses on core competencies required at each stage of corporate growth, including business growth strategy, fundraising, technology commercialization, corporate value enhancement, and IPO and exit strategies.

Experts from Korea Exchange, securities firms, and accounting and legal fields will deliver hands-on lectures. The program will also incorporate case-based analysis and discussion using real company examples, along with one-on-one mentoring, to equip participants with practical problem-solving skills for challenges they face in the field.

The government plans to expand the program to other research and development special zones based on the results of the inaugural run.

Kim Seong-su, director general for research and development policy at the Ministry of Science and ICT, said that for strong technology to create market value, management capabilities — including growth strategy, fundraising and listing — must support the technology development process. "We will build a foundation for training professional managers in Daedeok Innopolis and, based on those results, expand the program to other research and development special zones to actively support the growth and scale-up of regional deep-tech companies," he said.


nbgkoo@heraldcorp.com