Hallym University Technology Holdings Selected as TIPS Operator... Leading the Tech Startup Ecosystem in Gangwon

Hallym University Technology Holdings Co., Ltd. (CEO Lee Heewoo) was finally selected on October 29 as an operator for the "2025 TIPS (Tech Incubator Program for Startup, a private investment-led technology startup support program)" organized by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups.

Hallym University campus. Provided by Hallym University

A total of about 90 institutions applied for this selection, and 39 were ultimately chosen as operators. Among newly designated operators in the Gangwon region, Hallym University Technology Holdings was the only one selected.

Hallym University Technology Holdings has supported the growth of technology startups based on its proven investment track record and expertise in the medical and healthcare sectors. In collaboration with five Hallym University Medical Centers in the Seoul metropolitan and Gangwon regions (with a total of 3,200 beds), the company has facilitated clinical validation and commercialization for medical and healthcare startups. Notable success stories include the sales growth of the nursing supplies company Nurfitt and the FDA approval and overseas expansion of Neuroears, a startup founded by a Hallym University professor.

With Hallym University Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital being designated as the only research-oriented hospital in Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province in 2025, an innovative ecosystem is being established where medical technology R&D and investment create a virtuous cycle.

Hallym University Technology Holdings currently manages the "Hallym DHD No.1 Investment Association" and the "Hallym University-Rowe University Startup No.1 Private Investment Association." This year, it plans to newly establish the "Hallym Healthcare No.1 Investment Association" to provide follow-up investments linked to TIPS and to expand technology startups in the Gangwon region.

In particular, by forming a Gangwon-based venture fund, the company aims to revitalize startups in Gangwon and contribute to the recovery of the regional economy. Amid challenges such as concentrated investments in the Seoul metropolitan area and declining local populations, the government is seeking solutions by creating the "Local Era Venture Fund (Mother Fund)." This year, Gangwon was also selected as a mother fund operation region, and the selection of sub-fund operators is forthcoming. Hallym University, as one of the leading universities in Gangwon, also plans to actively participate in establishing the Gangwon Strategic Industry Venture Fund to contribute to the development of the local community.

Lee Heewoo, CEO of Hallym University Technology Holdings, stated, "Being selected as a TIPS operator is the first step for our university technology holding company to grow into a professional investment firm," adding, "We will do our utmost to foster another unicorn company in Gangwon, like Hugel, which originated from Hallym University."

Hallym University was selected as a first-round Glocal University in 2023 and is dedicated to AI-integrated education and building a local startup ecosystem. Last month, the "Station C Alliance" was officially launched in Chuncheon, with participation from local universities, startup incubators, private companies, and investment firms, to operate an open collaboration platform for revitalizing the regional startup ecosystem. Meanwhile, CEO Lee Heewoo has an outstanding investment record, including recovering 1.96 billion KRW from a 370 million KRW investment (a multiple of 5.2x, IRR 69.6%) during his tenure at LINE Unblock Ventures, and has also successfully managed the Cognitive Promising Service Industry Fund.

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