In the Era of Technological Hegemony, Deep-Tech Based Technology Commercialization Begins in Earnest... Expanding R&D Achievements

[Financial News] As global technological hegemony competition intensifies, 'Deep-Tech' is emerging in the research and development (R&D) ecosystem. Deep-Tech is a form that combines various strategic technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), quantum, aerospace and marine, and advanced bio. It is not a single technology, but a technology block structure where multiple technologies are organically combined to create ultra-fast innovation in technology and industry and new ripple effects through it. Commercializing such deep-tech capabilities and successfully transitioning them to the market has become essential. Domestic research and development special zones are also focusing on designing to commercialize deep-tech capabilities. 
■From Daedeok Special Zone to Nationwide... Spreading the Foundation of Deep-Tech Innovation
According to the science and technology community on the 16th, the Research and Development Special Zone Promotion Foundation is actively building a 'deep-tech based technology commercialization ecosystem' that connects the entire cycle of technology commercialization, from initial discovery of technology to startup, technology transfer (investment), demonstration, investment, and global expansion, so that deep-tech can be successfully transformed into a business in the market.
Daedeok Research and Development Special Zone is at the center. In Daedeok Special Zone, cases of deep-tech companies being listed are following one after another. Currently, 4 out of the top 10 companies by market capitalization on KOSDAQ have their headquarters in Daedeok Special Zone. Including companies in the Chungcheong region that have research labs in Daedeok Special Zone or have been established by transferring technology from government-funded research institutes, a total of 7 companies have succeeded in technology-based commercialization, achieving remarkable results. The explanation is that Daedeok Special Zone, which used to be a concentration of research institutions, has now been completely reorganized into a deep-tech based technology commercialization platform that connects technology → startup → investment → global expansion. 
The deep-tech technology commercialization model is not limited to Daedeok Special Zone. The Research and Development Special Zone is expanding the nationwide deep-tech based technology commercialization ecosystem that connects technology, region, and industry by organically linking 5 metropolitan research and development special zones in Gwangju, Daegu, Busan, and Jeonbuk centered on Daedeok, and 14 small special zones. It is forming an innovation foundation that encompasses regions and industries by combining advanced public technology from government-funded research institutes and universities with local demand companies, investment institutions, and global networks.
These achievements have been fully established within a year since the inauguration of President Jeong Hee-gwon in July last year. President Jeong emphasized, “Deep-tech takes a long time, requires a lot of capital, and has a high possibility of failure, but it is ultimately the technology that opens the future,” and “Technology should not stay in the laboratory but should lead to industrial innovation and market expansion.”
■Creating Various Success Stories, Leaping Towards the Global Market
The technology commercialization platform is also being proven with specific achievements. Deep-tech companies within the special zone are creating various success stories by converting technology into sales in the market and advancing globally through the full-cycle support of the special zone foundation for technology commercialization.
Hongneung Small Special Zone research institute company Curebus, which develops oral dementia treatment candidate substances, proved the possibility of global expansion of deep-tech based startups by transferring the technology to a European pharmaceutical company for 503.7 billion won within 3 years of establishment, receiving systematic support at each growth stage such as technology investment, technology commercialization, and investment attraction from the special zone foundation. Daedeok Special Zone company Handalab, specializing in developing AI industrial facility monitoring solutions, also entered the US NASDAQ market through the SPAC (Special Purpose Acquisition Company) listing method for the first time as a research institute company.
In addition, Alteogen has grown to a cumulative scale of 9 trillion won in technology export contracts with global pharmaceutical companies, and Ulsan Small Special Zone research institute company Deep Eye opened the export path to the global nuclear power plant market by obtaining certification from the US Electric Power Research Institute for the world’s first AI-based non-destructive inspection method.
The Research and Development Special Zone Promotion Foundation is actively pursuing the establishment of a deep-tech based technology finance support system, the establishment of a tailored commercialization system for each technology field, and the expansion of global demonstration and entry support along with customized support for each growth stage of research institute companies as it celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. It aims to evolve into a Korean-style Silicon Valley that supports national technology security and technology sovereignty.
A foundation official said, "For high-difficulty technologies like deep-tech to succeed in commercialization, initial capital that can endure a long time and high risk, regulatory reform, and institutional support are needed, but the current domestic technology commercialization environment remains in a bottleneck that hinders deep-tech development, centered on a fund of funds investment ecosystem and a regulatory system focused on established companies," and "Ultimately, the success of deep-tech depends not on the technology itself, but on whether the commercialization ecosystem that connects it to the market is designed."
jiany@fnnews.com Ji-an Yeon, Reporter