The Korea Institute of Startup and Entrepreneurship Development (KISED) said on the 28th that it is recruiting demand companies to participate in the open innovation program "Innowave" as part of the "super-gap startup project." The program aims to support joint demonstration and commercialization among super-gap startups, large and mid-sized companies, public institutions, and local governments.
The "super-gap project" is a program that focuses on nurturing startups in future core industries such as AI, robotics, mobility, and eco-friendly energy, and Innowave provides a collaboration base so that these technologies can achieve consolidation with actual industrial sites and markets. The Korea Institute of Startup and Entrepreneurship Development (KISED) has produced outcomes through the program since 2024, including joint technology development, commercialization contracts, and investment attraction, and the demand for collaboration has been steadily increasing.
In particular, while maintaining the "one-team consortium approach" introduced last year, the program will expand support this year and raise collaboration funds from the previous maximum of 50 million won to 100 million won. It will also broaden eligibility from super-gap startups to companies selected for TIPS and expand participation by public institutions and local governments to strengthen the potential for demonstration and public procurement linkage.
Selected demand companies will identify collaboration partners through one-on-one meetups with startups and prepare joint proposals. After a presentation evaluation at "Innowave Day," a final 50 consortia will be selected, and they will conduct joint technology development from July to December.
The Korea Institute of Startup and Entrepreneurship Development (KISED) plans to support not only collaboration funds but also infrastructure use, demonstration environments, technology protection, and follow-up commercialization linkages so that outcomes lead to actual purchases and investments. After the program ends, results will be announced in December through the "Innowave League," and outstanding consortia will receive incentives and opportunities linked to investment.
Recruitment of demand companies will run from Apr. 24 to May 13 at 4 p.m., and details can be found on the K-Startup portal website.