Incheon Big Wave IR Concludes with Record-High Competition Rate

**BiiG WAVE 2025: 10 Deep Tech and Bio Startups, selected from an unprecedented 30:1 competition, lit up the innovation stage!** The investment platform ‘BiiG WAVE 2025’, co-hosted by Incheon Metropolitan City and Incheon Center for Creative Economy & Innovation (hereinafter Incheon Center), successfully held a highly anticipated investor relations (IR) presentation for investment attraction at COEX, Seoul, on the 16th. This year, BiiG WAVE attracted a whopping 306 company applications, recording an all-time high competition rate exceeding 30:1, proving the enthusiastic interest and high expectations of startups. The 10 startups finally selected after a fierce review process consisted of 5 deep tech companies and 5 bio/healthcare companies with high future growth potential. Those who took the stage that day included CEO Kwak Seung-hwan of GQT Korea, CEO Choi Won-ik of Deepcardio, CEO Kang Chuck-gu of Vasplex, CEO Han Sung-goo of AppFinder Therapeutics, CEO Kim Myung-lip of Bilix, CEO Hong Seok-min of Speed Floor, Executive Director Kang Hyuk-jin of BTE, CEO Yoon Ye-chan of Scalardata, CEO Lee Jae-hyun of MX Bio, and CEO Kim Chan-gyu of MayAi. They presented their unique technological capabilities and growth visions targeting the global market, attracting the attention of both domestic and international investors. In particular, they showcased technologies that will lead innovation in various fields, including an integrated platform for electric vehicle charging, hydrogen charging equipment and fuel cell generators, logistics loading/unloading automation, next-generation quantum security technology, AI-based electrocardiogram analysis solutions, and innovative new drug development utilizing diverse pathways. The event was attended by professional investors such as venture capitalists (VCs) and accelerators (ACs), as well as over 200 representatives from large corporations and related organizations seeking open innovation opportunities, all supporting the future of these startups. Now in its fifth year, BiiG WAVE has focused on strengthening connections with global investors and achieving tangible investment attraction results, enabling startups to overcome the so-called ‘death valley’ and continue sustainable growth. Based on the 'Incheon BiiG WAVE Mother Fund,' the first of its kind established by Incheon City and the Incheon Center among local governments nationwide, it provides customized scale-up programs, ranging from corporate diagnostics and pitching skill enhancement to investor meetings, IR strategies, and financial solution support. As a result, over the past four years, it has achieved approximately 150 billion KRW in investment for 94 companies, establishing itself as a core platform driving the growth of innovative technology startups in South Korea. Lee Han-seop, CEO of Incheon Center, stated, "BiiG WAVE has proven its function as a truly reputable investment attraction platform." He emphasized, "We will mobilize all the center's capabilities and networks to support the selected companies in growing into unicorns." Meanwhile, BiiG WAVE plans to host its second IR event this autumn, featuring 5 startups on the theme of open innovation.