On the afternoon of the 10th, Korean tech talent discussed the direction of business in Korea at Community House Masil in Myeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul. They came to Korea from around the world, including the United States and Asia, to attend the K-Tech Pioneers (KTP) orientation. Founders in national strategic technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), advanced robotics and manufacturing, advanced biotech, and aerospace met in person for the first time with domestic large corporations and investors to explore potential collaboration.
Park Jong-hyun, CEO of Storyca, who was selected for the program, said, "Competition must have been intense, and I am grateful to join this program." Park said, "I look forward to sharing experience and capabilities while engaging with outstanding corporations," adding, "I hope KTP becomes a springboard to secure domestic and overseas clients."
KTP is a program that supports outstanding talent in national strategic technologies to work in Korea amid intensifying global competition for technological supremacy. It focuses on helping Korean talent recognized abroad for competitiveness return to Korea and settle into the domestic industrial environment. It is overseen by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National IT Industry Promotion Agency (NIPA). It is promoted in connection with the current administration's national agenda of "securing leading-edge AI technologies and talent with an ultra-gap."
A total of 20 teams attended the orientation. Ten teams from the U.S. West Coast and six from the East Coast were included, and four teams from Asia also made the list. About 100 people, including domestic demand-side corporations such as Hyundai Motor Group, LG Science Park, SK Innovation, Toss, and Kakao Mobility, as well as venture capital (VC) and corporate venture capital (CVC) representatives, also took part.
Kim Yu-jin, CEO of SparkLabs, who was born in the United States and moved to Korea at age 8, gave a special lecture on "open innovation-based startup growth strategies," explaining the particularities of Korea's venture, investment, and labor markets. Kim said, "In Korea, the government plays many roles and executes to support startups," adding, "There are differences from the startup and investment markets as perceived abroad."
Kim Sung-hoon, head of the United Korean Founders (UKF), took the stage on the theme of "opportunities and strategies for Korean-founded teams to enter Korea." Kim noted, "You must become players bigger than a country." Kim then explained, "To become a company that 'crosses borders' in two or more countries, you need an integrated management system, information and trust, and flexibility," adding, "Korean founders need to move as one ecosystem and community."
The 20 teams selected for KTP will push ahead with proof of concept (PoC) and joint research and development with major domestic demand-side corporations, accelerating technology commercialization. They will also receive support for legal, patent, and accounting consulting needed for domestic settlement. They are also set to receive support for securing growth capital through links to VC and CVC investment and cooperation with policy finance institutions such as the Korea Credit Guarantee Fund (KODIT).
Park Yoon-kyu, president of NIPA, emphasized, "NIPA will provide support so you can focus on technology commercialization and global market development." Park continued, "We regard the selected teams as 'global natives' who have built capabilities overseas, and we hope you fully demonstrate your accumulated technological strength, networks, and global sensibilities in Korea," adding, "The linkage these teams create between the global arena and Korea will be the force that elevates the domestic industrial ecosystem to the next level."