The Korea Technology Finance Corporation (Korea Technology Finance Corporation, Chairman Kim Jong-ho, hereinafter referred to as “KIBO”) announced that it co-hosted the “Horizon Europe Networking Day” with the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF, Chairman Hong Won-hwa, hereinafter referred to as “NRF”) at the Oakwood Premier COEX Center in Gangnam-gu, Seoul on Friday the 19th.
This event was organized to share the latest policy trends and participation strategies so that domestic small and medium-sized enterprises and venture companies can participate more effectively in Horizon Europe, the European Union's (EU) flagship research and innovation (R&I) program, and to expand the foundation for global joint R&D cooperation.
Horizon Europe, operated by the European Commission, is the world's largest multilateral research and innovation funding program and is recognized as an international collaboration platform that fosters global collaborative research and technological cooperation. Starting this year, KIBO has been designated as Horizon Europe's National Contact Point (NCP) for domestic SMEs and venture companies. It provides comprehensive support, including guidance on institutional arrangements, consulting, and networking, to facilitate the smooth participation of domestic companies in joint research and technological collaboration with research institutions in advanced countries.
Based on these roles, KIBO selected six companies with global capabilities this year, including baby/potential unicorns, IP-Value powerhouses, and Innovation Premier 1000 companies, and provided them with customized consulting and training focused on the direction of European research cooperation and participation procedures.
This event was attended by approximately 70 experts from industry, academia, and research, including representatives from KIBO's Horizon Europe consulting support company, universities and companies with relevant experience, and major European research institutes, including the Fraunhofer Institute in Germany. The participants had time to share the direction of international joint research cooperation and technological innovation strategies.
At the event, Kibo and the research foundation signed a "Business Agreement to Strengthen the Global Multilateral Cooperation Capabilities of SMEs" and agreed to establish a cooperative system to expand SMEs' participation in international joint R&D and create a sustainable global joint research ecosystem.
This was followed by a lively discussion focused on field-oriented topics such as ▲Introduction to the Horizon Europe system ▲Measures for building a European R&D partnership ▲Global R&D cooperation strategy and conditions for success ▲Successful cases of multilateral global R&D.
Additionally, the networking session introduced the Horizon Europe support project currently operated by KIBO, and provided opportunities for domestic companies and research institutes to interact with NCPs and global experts to participate in the 2026-2027 project.
Kang Dong-seop, head of the research foundation, said, “We will continue to support domestic SMEs to expand their opportunities to participate in global R&D through Horizon Europe and to actively participate in international cooperation networks,” adding, “We hope that this event will provide practical assistance in establishing global R&D strategies for SMEs.”
Kim Dae-cheol, CEO of Kibo, said, “In a global environment where competition for technological hegemony is intensifying, the importance of scientific and technological cooperation between countries is greater than ever,” and added, “As a Horizon Europe NCP, Kibo will systematically support the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises and venture companies in global joint R&D and actively support the entry of excellent technology companies into the global market through cooperation with advanced countries.”
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