The Korea Technology Finance Corporation (hereinafter referred to as the “KIBO”) announced on Wednesday, the 11th, that it has completed the first stage (Pre-R&D) support by selecting 84 companies as target companies for the ´25-year BIRD program announced in March.
The BIRD program is a project that supports the entire R&D process of small and medium-sized venture companies in stages through collaboration between KIBO and the Korea Technology Information Agency (hereinafter referred to as the “KIDA”). Since its introduction in 2023, it has contributed to resolving the existing R&D support structure that delayed the creation of results due to the disconnection between the development and commercialization stages, and to accelerating commercialization results.
KIBO and KEI support the entire R&D cycle of small and medium-sized venture companies by providing ▲200 million won in guarantee support for Stage 1 (Pre-R&D) R&D planning funds from KIBO, ▲up to 500 million won in contribution support for Stage 2 (R&D) R&D execution funds from KIBO, and ▲up to 3 billion won in guarantee support for Stage 3 (Post-R&D) R&D commercialization funds from KIBO.
The two organizations have guaranteed a total of KRW 43.6 billion in planning funds to 218 companies as of this year, the third year since the introduction of the system, provided approximately KRW 144.1 billion (planned) in performance funds to 160 companies, and provided a total of KRW 190 billion in R&D funds, including KRW 2 billion in guaranteed investment, and have been working to create early commercialization results.
In particular, Kibo has discovered projects with high industrial ripple effects and innovation, and has supported them regardless of existing guarantee history or financial status, so that the development technology can lead to actual market performance. As a result, the 134 companies selected in the first stage by 2024 have shown visible results, such as an increase in total sales of 84.5 billion won (an average of 630 million won) after support, and an increase in total employment of 752 (an average of 5.6 people). This is an outstanding result compared to the results of the 'Small and Medium Business Survey' announced at the end of 2024 (sales decreased by 330 million won, employment increased by 3 people).
In addition, it has attracted 57.4 billion won in follow-up investment, produced 3 companies listed on KOSDAQ with special technology (including 1 company that passed the technology evaluation), and 6 companies that received domestic and international awards and certifications such as NET and industrial packaging, showing clear innovative results despite being in the development stage, and is expected to grow even further as full-scale commercialization proceeds in the future.
This first stage (Pre-R&D) selection company is a technology company with sales of 2 billion won or more in the strategic technology and carbon neutral fields, and was confirmed through the first written evaluation, the second expert review committee, and the third technology evaluation and guarantee review. A total of 332 companies applied, showing a competition rate of about 4 to 1, confirming the high demand in the field for R&D full-cycle support.
The selected companies are evenly distributed across strategic technology fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), bio, semiconductors, and next-generation communications, and it is notable that they include development companies in fields that have had relatively few selections so far, such as aerospace, marine robots, and carbon neutrality.
Meanwhile, the companies eligible for the Phase 2 (R&D) subsidy support will be finalized in July after going through the evaluation of the KIET among the companies selected in Phase 1 (Pre-R&D), and the Phase 3 (Post-R&D) support will be provided to companies that have completed Phase 2, with a separate schedule to be announced later.
Lee Jae-pil, CEO of Kibo, said, “The BIRD program is a full-cycle integrated support model designed to organically link loans and investments so that R&D results can be commercialized without interruption.” He added, “As a specialized R&D commercialization finance institution, Kibo will establish a tight and practical financial support system to support the scale-up of excellent ventures and startups with innovative technologies.”
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