Hongneung Special Zone Hosts Post-TIPS IR for 13 Deep Tech Firms

## Deep-tech Startups Pave the Way for the Future of the Korean Economy: Hongneung Innopolis Post-TIPS 1st Integrated IR Successfully Held **The Post-TIPS program, overseen by Hongneung Innopolis of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), marked a crucial turning point for strengthening the global competitiveness of deep-tech startups and attracting follow-on investments.** On the 15th, as part of the '2024 Post-TIPS Program,' Hongneung Innopolis successfully hosted its 1st Integrated IR, providing a springboard for technology-based startups to take a step further. This event is evaluated as having gone beyond a simple IR, broadly showcasing the potential of deep-tech startups emerging as key assets for national competitiveness, and opening a venue for practical investment linkage and collaboration. ### Post-TIPS: A Core Driving Force for Scaling Up TIPS Graduating Companies 'Post-TIPS' is a scale-up program targeting startups with particularly high growth potential among those that have graduated from TIPS (Tech Incubator Program for Startup), the government's flagship startup support program. The core objective of this program is to drive continuous growth for deep-tech startups and to focus on follow-up support to further enhance their competitiveness in the global market. By discovering and nurturing startups that can lead market changes based on innovative technological capabilities, the program is dedicated to fostering key players who will lead future industries. This will serve as an essential factor in elevating South Korea's technological competitiveness and expanding its influence on the global stage. ### 13 Deep-tech Startups Showcase a Feast of Innovative Technology At this integrated IR event, 13 carefully selected companies out of the 39 chosen for Post-TIPS participated, delivering impressive IR pitches to key domestic and international investors. The participating companies presented new business models based on innovative technological capabilities in diverse fields such as healthcare, mobility, semiconductors, and artificial intelligence, leaving a profound impression. * **Twinpig Biolab Co., Ltd., Netarget Co., Ltd., BioBankHealing Co., Ltd., Bionsight Co., Ltd., Panse Co., Ltd., Petnow Co., Ltd.:** In the bio and healthcare sectors, they showcased innovative ideas that improve the quality of life, such as new drug development using biotechnology, disease diagnosis solutions, and pet healthcare. In particular, biotechnology, as a core future growth engine, garnered significant interest from investors. * **Korea EV Infra Technology Co., Ltd.:** Presented a vision for a sustainable future through electric vehicle charging infrastructure technology, which is key to eco-friendly mobility. They are leading essential infrastructure technology in the rapidly growing EV market, simultaneously creating social and economic value. * **Ading Co., Ltd., Team Elysium Co., Ltd., Hurempro Co., Ltd., Humelo Co., Ltd., SKIA Co., Ltd., JCF Technology Co., Ltd.:** Showcased differentiated solutions and platforms in core technology areas of the 4th Industrial Revolution, including artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and software. These companies demonstrated their potential to bring innovation to various industrial sectors such as big data analysis, smart manufacturing, and robotic automation, proving their technology-driven growth potential. The innovative cases presented by startups in these diverse fields not only showcased the present and future of Korea's deep-tech industry but also reconfirmed that strengthening technological competitiveness directly leads to strengthening national competitiveness. ### In-depth Connection with Investors, Exploring Practical Follow-on Investment Opportunities The event was attended by a total of 24 investment professionals from 17 leading domestic and international VC (Venture Capital) and CVC (Corporate Venture Capital) firms, including Daewoong Investment, Smilegate Investment, and Z Venture Capital, who directly listened to the pitches. Following the IR, they engaged in 1:1 meetup consultations, having in-depth discussions with up to 7 investment firms per company. This was a crucial occasion that went beyond merely listening to company presentations; it allowed investors to meticulously analyze each startup's technology and business model, and specifically explore potential investment opportunities and collaboration prospects. Through the in-depth consultations, companies not only secured investment opportunities but also gained chances to build strategic partnerships for business expansion, while investors were spurred to discover innovative companies that will drive future growth. This intensive networking is expected to significantly contribute to invigorating the startup ecosystem and creating a virtuous cycle where technological innovation leads to tangible results. ### Hongneung Innopolis: A Hub for Deep-tech Startup Growth Lim Hwan, head of Hongneung Innopolis, emphasized the significance of this event, stating, "Deep-tech startups are now garnering attention as key assets for national competitiveness, going beyond mere entrepreneurial entities." He further added, "Through Post-TIPS, Hongneung Innopolis will continue to strengthen connections with investors and consistently develop scale-up programs to help promising technology-based companies leap forward." This declares Hongneung Innopolis' strong commitment to supporting the continuous growth of deep-tech startups and helping them evolve into global leaders. Hongneung Innopolis is establishing R&D and investment network foundations in conjunction with Korea's top-tier core technology institutions such as the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Kyung Hee University, and Korea University. Based on this robust ecosystem, it actively supports the commercialization of startups and serves as a core platform for startup growth. These efforts by Hongneung Innopolis are expected to play a significant role in creating a foundation for deep-tech startups to grow stably and, furthermore, contribute to national economic development. This 1st Integrated IR provided a significant opportunity to confirm the innovative capabilities of deep-tech startups and enable them to secure competitiveness and grow in the global market. Moving forward, Hongneung Innopolis will continue to discover promising deep-tech startups through the Post-TIPS program, strengthen investment linkages and scale-up support, and thus play a pivotal role in South Korea's leap to becoming a technological powerhouse.