Foundation to Foster Deep Tech Companies in Space, Aerospace, and AI

The Research and Development Special Zone Promotion Foundation (the Foundation) will foster companies in the space, aerospace, and artificial intelligence (AI) deep tech sectors through collaboration with academia, industry, and research institutes.

On October 13, the Foundation announced that it will officially launch the "2025 K-Aerospace Open Innovation" program.

Provided by the Research and Development Special Zone Promotion Foundation

Open Innovation is a program that solicits technology ideas in response to corporate needs and provides support for technology validation, joint development, and investment to the winners. The program is hosted by the Korea Aerospace Administration and organized by Korea Aerospace Industries Co., Ltd. (KAI), the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, and Gyeongsang National University.

Companies participating in the program will have the opportunity to further develop their innovative technology ideas discovered through the competition.

The Foundation will be accepting applications for participating companies until November 5. Companies wishing to collaborate with KAI or deep tech companies located in the Research and Development Special Zone are eligible to apply.

A total of three companies will be selected as final participants through document screening and presentation evaluations. The selected companies will receive awards from the Administrator of the Korea Aerospace Administration, the Chairman of the Foundation, and the CEO of KAI, as well as a total of 30 million KRW in commercialization funding from KAI.

In addition, the selected companies will benefit from strategic collaboration with KAI, participation in the Korea Aerospace Administration's global programs, connections to the Foundation's investment and growth projects, and technical and management consulting support from the Korea Aerospace Research Institute and Gyeongsang National University. These benefits are part of a joint support system for follow-up growth utilizing industry-academia-research-government projects.

Further details regarding the application process can be found in the announcements section of the Foundation's website.

Jung Heekwon, Chairman of the Foundation, stated, "Open Innovation is significant as it establishes an open innovation ecosystem that supports the growth of deep tech startups in the space, aerospace, and AI sectors through collaboration among industry, academia, research institutes, and government. The Foundation will actively leverage its collaborative network and further strengthen its support system to help promising deep tech companies commercialize their technologies and expand globally."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.