Lee Kun-hee’s 1.5 Trillion Won Future Technology Initiative: 880 Research Projects and 16,000 Researchers Supported Over 12 Years

[Financial News] Samsung established a 1.5 trillion won fund in 2013 and has since invested 1.1419 trillion won over 12 years in domestic basic science research through the Samsung Future Technology Promotion Project. This initiative, launched at the direction of the late Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee, is a bold 'venture investment' aimed at securing future core technologies and stands as Samsung’s leading public interest project supporting basic science research led by the private sector.
■ PROTEINA, Backed by Samsung, to List on KOSDAQAccording to Samsung, the Samsung Future Technology Promotion Project has supported 880 research projects to date. A total of 91 research institutions and approximately 16,000 researchers have participated. On this day, Samsung held the '2025 Annual Forum of the Future Technology Promotion Project' at the InterContinental Parnas Hotel in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, to review the outcomes of its basic science support initiative. This year, the event was opened to the public for the first time. Attendees included Koo Hyuk-chae, First Vice Minister of Science and ICT; Kwon Chil-seung, lawmaker from the Democratic Party; Ahn Cheol-soo, lawmaker from the People Power Party; Kim Sun-min, lawmaker from the Rebuilding Korea Party; Lee Joo-young, lawmaker from the Reform Party; Park Seung-hee, President of Samsung Electronics (CR); Jang Seok-hoon, Head of Samsung Social Contribution; as well as around 400 domestic researchers and academic leaders who gathered to discuss scientific research.
The Samsung Future Technology Promotion Project was initiated with a long-term vision to lay the foundation for Korea’s economic growth through basic science and materials technology, rather than focusing on immediate business results. Samsung aims to carry forward the 'Lee Kun-hee spirit,' which emphasizes technology-driven management and R&D investment for future technologies, by further developing this initiative.
Beyond funding, Samsung has systematically provided an end-to-end support package, including project selection, maximizing outcomes, and technology commercialization. To date, 65 research projects have led to startups, with PROTEINA, founded by Professor Yoon Tae-young of Seoul National University (SNU), being a prime example. PROTEINA was selected for the Samsung Future Technology Promotion Project and received five years of research support starting in 2014. This enabled the company to lay the groundwork for a high-speed antibody screening platform that rapidly identifies drug candidates. Freed from the pressure of immediate commercialization, researchers were able to focus solely on their work. PROTEINA was listed on the Korean Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (KOSDAQ) in July and, in collaboration with Samsung Bioepis and SNU researchers, was chosen as the lead institution for a national project led by the Ministry of Health and Welfare to develop and validate antibody biopharmaceuticals using AI models.
■ From Unprofitable Basic Science to Cutting-Edge TechnologiesAt the event, researchers presented achievements made possible by the Samsung Future Technology Promotion Project. These included Professor Jeon Myung-won of Kyung Hee University (KHU) (supported since 2024, space research); Professor Kim Jae-kyung of Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) (selected in 2019, sleep research and AI sleep coach); Professor Cho Yong-chul of Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST) (selected in 2018, neural regeneration and degeneration); and Professor Kim Jang-woo of Seoul National University (SNU) (2015, system semiconductor technology). Notably, MangoBoost, founded by Professor Kim Jang-woo in 2022, is expanding its global market presence through partnerships with major global tech firms, while Professor Kim Jae-kyung’s AI sleep coach has been integrated into the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8. Other presentations included Professor Kang Chan-hee of SNU (aging cell research) and Professor Shin Won-jae of Korea University (low-orbit satellite communications).
Kook Yang, Chairman of the Samsung Science & Technology Foundation, stated at the forum, "We will strengthen support so that researchers can devote themselves to their work and contribute to the sustainable development of our society." Kim Sung-Keun, President of Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), remarked, "Samsung has discovered outstanding researchers with the belief that it is contributing to the nation’s science and technology." Park Seung-hee, President of Samsung Electronics (CR), emphasized, "Samsung will continue to support young scientists so they can take on new research challenges and grow, focusing on long-term vision rather than short-term results."

ehcho@fnnews.com Jo Eun-hyo Reporter