Busan National University Technology Holdings Forms 3.5 Billion KRW University Startup 5th Angel Investment Association

Pusan National University Manages Total Investment Fund of 22.2 Billion Won
University-Driven Deep Tech Unicorn Creation
Existing Fund Enters Recovery Phase with 359% Return

'Pusan National University Technology Holdings' (CEO: Kang Jungeun, Head of the Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation and Professor of Urban Engineering) held the inaugural general meeting for the 'Pusan National University Deep Tech University Startup 5th Private Investment Association (Fund)' on the 12th at the Samsung Industry-Academic Cooperation Center on campus.

Deep tech refers to fundamental public technologies that aim to solve social problems and, although their business models have not yet been realized, require long-term and large-scale capital investment due to their significant ripple effects across various industries.

This general meeting was held as Pusan National University was finally selected as the operator for the '2024 2nd Regular Investment Project' hosted by the Ministry of Education and Korea Venture Investment Corp.

In this project, Pusan National University was recognized for its accumulated investment capabilities and successful support and nurturing of numerous startup companies, having operated four independent university startup funds (No. 1 to No. 4) and one joint startup fund. As a result, it was selected as one of the final four out of a total of 21 applicant institutions.

This new fund will be operated for a total of 10 years, including a 3-year investment period. Through this, the plan is to focus investments not only on university-originated deep tech startups such as faculty and student startups and subsidiaries of university technology holding companies, but also on startups located in local areas and early-stage startups.

In particular, the aim is to discover promising university-originated startups in the deep tech field and support their stable growth, thereby revitalizing the stagnant southeastern regional economy and leading the establishment of a deep tech-centered startup innovation ecosystem.

The general partner is Pusan National University Technology Holdings, with Korea Fund of Funds as the special limited partner, and Pusan National University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation, Sejong University Technology Holdings, and Changwon National University Technology Holdings as limited partners.

It is expected that the collaboration of university technology commercialization institutions in the southeastern and metropolitan areas will lead to the birth of unicorn companies that will drive the future national industry through tailored financial support covering the entire cycle of university-originated deep tech startups.

Pusan National University Technology Holdings has so far established and nurtured a total of 37 subsidiaries, invested approximately KRW 12.5 billion in 61 companies through university funds, and supported follow-up investment attraction of KRW 122.6 billion in 29 companies, continuing its active technology commercialization and investment support activities.

With the establishment of this 5th Private Investment Association, Pusan National University Technology Holdings has expanded its asset management scale to a total of six investment associations (five university-only GPs and one Co-GP), totaling KRW 22.2 billion, solidifying its position as the leading university investment institution in the southeastern region.

Kang Jungeun, CEO of Pusan National University Technology Holdings, said, "Discovering promising deep tech startups that will lead the new industries of the future and supporting their stable growth will be one important solution to overcoming the regional crisis we are currently facing," and added, "Based on our know-how in nurturing many startups so far, we will strive to create a new virtuous cycle of startup investment based on deep tech so that the region and companies can grow together."

The Hi-Five University Startup Private Investment Association (No. 1), Pusan National University University Startup 2nd Private Investment Association, and the joint startup fund BS Dynamic Startup Private Investment Association, all operated by Pusan National University Technology Holdings, have now entered the exit stage.

With partial exit strategies for companies such as Giant Chemical (a technology transfer company from Pusan National University), PRGS&Tech and RDSolution (subsidiaries of the university technology holding company), and Christine Company (a startup based in Busan), a return rate of 359% on principal has been achieved. Through these fund exit results, the plan is to reinvest in discovering and nurturing more outstanding university startups with global competitiveness, establishing a virtuous investment ecosystem.

Busan National University 5th University Startup Fund Formation General Meeting.