Korea Data Industry Promotion Agency to Incubate 17 Data Startups in 2025

Vanguards who will lead the future of Korea's data industry have emerged. A total of 17 innovative companies have been finally selected through the public calls for 'DATA-Stars' and 'DATA-Global', data-specialized support programs ambitiously promoted by the Korea Data Agency (K-DIA), injecting vibrant vitality into the domestic data ecosystem. DATA-Stars, a gateway for data startups, discovered 10 companies, overcoming an astonishing competition ratio of 40:1. Ideas that transcend imagination, such as AI-based K-webtoon localization, legal assistant AI, sleep data analysis, and new drug data management, have been selected and are drawing attention. Beyond mere grants, these companies are expected to open new horizons for the Korean data industry through comprehensive customized nurturing programs, including venture capital (VC) mentoring, data-specialized consulting, and data infrastructure support. Having proven its power by producing 165 excellent startups, including unicorn companies, over the past 12 years, the newly selected companies also possess the potential to elevate the status of the Korean data industry on the global stage. The DATA-Global program, a bridgehead for overseas market entry, also selected 7 teams after overcoming fierce competition of 16:1. These companies, having proven global potential in key sectors such as healthcare, fintech, and bio, will receive practical support including government grants of up to 50 million KRW, overseas market entry consulting, participation in exhibition and business matching events, and support for networking with relevant overseas organizations. Like MoIn's AI-based overseas remittance and payment service or Abys's precision diagnostic AI solution, they are already presenting bold visions for the world and dreaming of leaping towards becoming global unicorns. As Yang Jae-soo, President of the Korea Data Agency, emphasized, data is at the core of the AI era and a strategic resource that determines national competitiveness. K-DIA is taking on the role of a steadfast partner to help these selected companies soar beyond Korea to become data unicorns representing the world. The growth of these companies, equipped with innovative ideas and global capabilities, is expected to become a new turning point for the Korean data industry and a lighthouse that illuminates its future.