SMEs Ministry Unveils 19 Core Tech Sovereignty Initiatives in Bio, AI, Semiconductors

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) is accelerating innovation support by announcing new projects for the 2025 Deep Tech Challenge Project (DCP), designed to support bold challenges by SMEs in the deep tech sector, a key driving force in future technology competition. At the strategic discussion held on the 24th in Seoul Tipstown, 19 ambitious projects spanning national future strategic sectors such as bio, artificial intelligence, and semiconductors were announced. DCP is a special R&D program where public and private sectors collaborate to provide large-scale funding, up to 10 billion KRW, to encourage SMEs and startups to undertake high-risk, high-reward research and development. Its unique operating method involves the government proposing nationally needed technology projects, after which companies, investors, and research institutions form 'project teams' to take on the challenge. These projects were carefully selected after a thorough review of technology demands from nearly 140 companies and verification by over 200 experts. Notably, in the advanced bio sector, four projects, including the development of liquid biopsy-based cancer diagnostic devices, received attention. In the AI sector, two projects stood out, such as the development of AI-based multifunctional robot solutions to assist nursing tasks in response to the care demands of an aging society. In the semiconductor and display sector, three projects, including the development of plating mass production equipment for multi-size wafer interposer manufacturing, were listed. Additionally, 10 projects were selected across various other fields such as secondary batteries, mobility, aerospace, and carbon neutrality. At this discussion, the MSS also announced significant reorganization plans for the DCP program, the core of which can be summarized in four directions. First, maximize the 'strategic nature' of SME R&D. The plan is to shift the project discovery system from the existing company-demand-centric approach to one based on strategic technology roadmaps, and to integrate dispersed strategic functions to enhance efficiency. Second, expand 'openness' to invigorate competition. Instead of specific investor recommendations, the strategy is to directly select 'project teams' and introduce a 'strategic technology bank' to publicize all projects, thereby encouraging participation from diverse entities. Third, pursue 'systematization and efficiency' of support. After R&D grants are provided, if successful follow-up investments are attracted, the system will shift to a phased support structure linking equity investment proportionally. Fourth, strengthen 'autonomous R&D execution and full-cycle support by PMs'. A 1:1 customized PM will be matched for each project, and a 'moving target' approach will be applied to allow modification of development goals, enabling flexible responses to market changes. Minister Oh Young-ju of the MSS emphasized that in a rapidly changing era, the key to survival and growth lies with SMEs and startups possessing innovative technology and creativity. She expressed the Ministry's commitment to fully support the innovation and challenges of SMEs and startups to secure technological sovereignty and strengthen competitiveness in an era of global technological competition.