Research Development Special Zone Foundation expands global support for deep‑tech firms

On 9 September, the Research Development Special Zone Promotion Foundation hosted a “2026 Global Value‑Up Camp” in Seoul’s Summit One venue. The event gathered 43 deep‑tech companies from the Korean special‑zone program, alongside 18 major domestic and international corporations—including Kia, Mercedes‑Benz, Samsung BioLogics, Oracle, Walt Disney Company, Kakao Mobility, POSCO International, Hanwha Systems, Hyundai Construction, LG AI Research, and SK InnoEnergy—and 11 investment firms such as EcoPro Partners and Hyundai Motor Securities.

The camp provided a platform for open‑innovation collaboration, enabling participating deep‑tech firms to present proof‑of‑concept (PoC) cases, discuss technology applicability, and explore joint commercialization pathways with large enterprises. Organizers said the initiative seeks to expand global PoC opportunities and accelerate market entry for Korean deep‑tech innovators. Follow‑up actions include 1:1 meetings between interested corporations and start‑ups, with the foundation committing continued support toward PoC development, investment attraction, and business partnerships.

Foundation Director Jeong Hee‑kwon emphasized that “deep‑tech technologies must be validated in real‑world industrial settings abroad to reach world markets,” and pledged ongoing assistance to strengthen overseas testing and scale‑up activities.