Daedeok headquarters and Korea Aerospace Research Institute host aerospace and defense open innovation event; demand-driven one-on-one tech matching aims to turn partnerships into joint R&D and commercialization

Key participants pose for a group photo at the 2026 Aerospace, Space and Defense Open Innovation event held Wednesday in Daejeon. [Korea Research and Development Special Zone Foundation]
Key participants pose for a group photo at the 2026 Aerospace, Space and Defense Open Innovation event held Wednesday in Daejeon. [Korea Research and Development Special Zone Foundation]

Twelve deep tech startups seeking to break into the aerospace and defense sector are moving ahead with direct technology partnerships with some of South Korea's leading defense companies, including LIG, Hanwha Systems and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI).

The Korea Research and Development Special Zone Foundation's Daedeok Research and Development Special Zone headquarters and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute co-hosted the 2026 Aerospace, Space and Defense Open Innovation event Wednesday at the Daedeok Connect Lounge inside the Daejeon Science Complex.

The event was designed to help deep tech startups with strong technology capabilities but limited access to potential corporate partners enter the market.

Unlike conventional networking events, the program used a demand-driven technology matching approach — identifying the specific technology needs of large companies in advance and then pairing them with suitable startups.

The Daedeok headquarters and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute surveyed the technology needs of three companies — LIG D&A, Hanwha Systems and KAI — and selected 12 startups with relevant capabilities.

LIG D&A identified needs in command and control, sensors, AI and communications; Hanwha Systems focused on precision machining, materials and components; and KAI sought technologies in manned-unmanned teaming systems and aerospace platforms.

Participating startups held one-on-one technical consultations with corporate representatives they had been matched with beforehand, discussing the practical applicability of their technologies and potential avenues for joint development.

The event also offered investment support. Four investment institutions — Sema Invest, KST, ETRI Holdings and E&Venture Partners — participated and held individual investment consultations with the startups.

Alongside this, participants received information on support programs covering technology commercialization, financing and guarantees, intellectual property rights and public procurement.

The Daedeok headquarters and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute said they plan to ensure the event leads to tangible technology development and commercialization outcomes rather than remaining a one-off meeting.

The Daedeok headquarters will support follow-up technical meetings and investment linkages for companies where collaboration potential has been confirmed. It also plans to leverage research and business development programs to help startups advance their technologies and enter the market.

The Korea Aerospace Research Institute will work to clarify each company's specific technology needs and provide access to its core technologies and expert advisory services. Where necessary, it will also facilitate technology transfers and joint research to help startups build their competitive edge.

"For startups with strong technology to grow in the aerospace and defense industry, securing opportunities to collaborate with companies that actually need their technology is critical," said Lim Moon-taek, head of the Daedeok Special Zone headquarters. "We will link the Korea Aerospace Research Institute's research capabilities with the special zone's commercialization support so that technology partnerships between companies lead to follow-on development and commercialization."


nbgkoo@heraldcorp.com