Ministry of Science and ICT Selects 15 Next-Generation Unicorns After 5.7:1 Competition

The Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) finalized the selection of 15 participating companies for the 2025 ‘International ICT Future Unicorn Development Program,’ an initiative aimed at helping domestic ICT startups become global unicorns, thereby accelerating its steps towards future innovation. Amid fierce competition, the 15 companies meticulously chosen from 86 applicants were recognized for their outstanding technological prowess and innovative business models in key ICT sectors such as artificial intelligence, data, cybersecurity, and media content. The high competition rate of 5.7:1 clearly demonstrates startups' keen interest and high expectations for this program. Since 2020, led by MSIT and the National IT Industry Promotion Agency (NIPA), this program, operated in cooperation with various organizations including the Global Digital Innovation Network, Korea Credit Guarantee Fund, Korea Exchange, and Seoul Guarantee Insurance, has already supported 74 companies, driving 7 of them, including Crowdworks and Openedges Technology, to list on KOSDAQ, thereby proving its success DNA. Particularly over the last three years (2022-2024), participating companies have achieved remarkable results, attracting a total of 139.9 billion KRW in investment, generating 401 billion KRW in sales, creating 1,113 new jobs, and filing 245 domestic and international patents, thereby injecting vitality into the Korean ICT ecosystem. The selected 15 companies will receive powerful support. This includes ▲ overseas expansion consulting and investment attraction linkage, ▲ KSM registration with the Korea Exchange and M&A training, ▲ expanded guarantee limits and premium discounts from Seoul Guarantee Insurance, and ▲ working capital guarantees of up to 5 billion KRW per company from the Korea Credit Guarantee Fund, among other comprehensive support. Especially this year, the number of supported countries for overseas expansion per company has been expanded to two, and opportunities for local product/service proof-of-concept (PoC) are being provided on a pilot basis, further opening the door to global market pioneering. Tailored local entry programs utilizing MSIT's overseas bases, such as KIC Silicon Valley, overseas IT support centers (Singapore, Vietnam), and the Korea-India SW Win-Win Cooperation Center, will also help these companies soar to success. The 15 innovative companies set to lead in 2025 are as follows: ▲**Enhance Co., Ltd.**: AI-based e-commerce management and operation support ▲**Nation A**: Generative AI-based 3D animation creation software ▲**Glorang**: AI diagnostic test data-based personalized education service ▲**Infopla Co., Ltd.**: AI-based IT equipment and system operation/management automation solution ▲**Hudson AI**: AI-based content, film/drama dubbing solution ▲**Bigwave Robotics Co., Ltd.**: Robot automation AI solution and integrated robot control system ▲**Sierra Base**: Intelligent drone-based facility safety management ▲**Westworld Co., Ltd.**: Special visual effects, virtual environment creation and correction for films/dramas, etc. ▲**IV Works Co., Ltd.**: AI solution for producing gallium nitride (GaN) epi-wafers for power, telecommunications, and semiconductors ▲**NORMA**: Internet of Things (IoT) security and quantum security solutions ▲**QBIC**: Complementary synthetic data generation and provision, including meaning preservation and personal information protection ▲**Mediwhale Co., Ltd.**: AI health checkup based on retinal blood vessel analysis ▲**MTS Company**: AI-based pathology diagnosis assistance and prognosis prediction service ▲**H-Energy Co., Ltd.**: Eco-friendly renewable energy investment and operation matching platform ▲**Brighton Corporation Co., Ltd.**: Industrial laser and beam projector based on ultra-compact laser optical engine To enable these startups to elevate Korea's ICT status and emerge as unicorns in the global market, MSIT will continue to provide its full support.