The number of 'research institute corporations' founded based on domestic public research成果 has surpassed 2,000.
The Ministry of Science and ICT noted that 'DeepEye', founded with technology from Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Corporation, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), and the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, became the 2,000th research institute corporation on the 27th.
Research institute corporations refer to the corporations established within the research and development special zones based on the technologies of public research institutions such as government-funded research institutes, specialized production technology research institutes, universities, and public institutions. They are representative examples of a commercialization model where public research institutions supply technology while participating as shareholders leading the commercialization of that technology.
Since the establishment of the first research institute corporation, Kolmar BNH, in 2006, the number has exceeded 1,000. This year, the emergence of the 2,000th corporation has shown rapid growth. Research institute corporations are currently leading the domestic technology industry in 19 research and development special zones across the country.
DeepEye, registered as the 2,000th research institute corporation, possesses non-destructive testing technology based on artificial intelligence (AI). This technology was created by combining UNIST's AI technology with the non-destructive testing detection technology from the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, utilizing the Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Corporation's databases. For the first time, it received certification from the U.S. Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) for AI-based non-destructive inspection, successfully establishing a foundation for exports to global nuclear power operators. The global non-destructive nuclear inspection market is estimated to reach approximately 7 trillion won.
Minister Yoo Sang-im said, 'Achieving the milestone of 2,000 research institute corporations is an accomplishment achieved through the co-growth of national research and development (R&D) and regional technology commercialization.' He added, 'We will continue to foster research institute corporations that lead the future centered on national strategic technologies and contribute to realizing a science and technology powerhouse.'