Daegu Blockchain Technology Innovation Support Center Opens

The Daegu Blockchain Technology Innovation Support Center has opened to develop citizen-centered blockchain technology and foster the industry in Daegu.

Located in Suseong Alpha City, Daegu, the center is overseen and managed by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Internet & Security Agency, jointly operated by Daegu Metropolitan City and the Daegu Digital Innovation Promotion Agency, providing an optimal environment for nurturing blockchain companies and talent as well as developing convergence technologies.

Suseong Alpha City, where the center is established, is planned to be developed as a global software hub leading industrial convergence, aiming to become the largest convergence industry base city outside the metropolitan area and the second Pangyo Techno Valley. Currently, Suseong Alpha City hosts 139 ICT/SW companies, 3,600 employees, and 13 ICT/SW support institutions including the SW Convergence Tech Biz Center. Including companies scheduled to relocate, there are 24 blockchain technology supply companies in the region, making it an ideal location as a blockchain-centered digital innovation hub.

Additionally, the center is established on the 2nd floor of the Smart Business Center in Suseong Alpha City, covering 1,709㎡, and is equipped with a blockchain promotion zone, company office spaces, seminar rooms, and project rooms. It builds blockchain platform infrastructure with servers, UPS, backup NAS, etc., and supports companies through attracting blockchain research institutions and linking projects with specialized blockchain companies.

To build a blockchain development environment and verify services, a regionally demand-based BaaS-type blockchain platform will be established, and three regionally specialized industry services linked to the blockchain platform?mobility supply chain, healthcare services, and traditional Korean medicine product authenticity verification solution?will be piloted. In particular, as part of blockchain convergence technology development and company support projects, the center will support development of blockchain convergence technologies and services linked to local industries, incubate blockchain companies, train specialized blockchain personnel, provide technology commercialization consulting, and offer customized support for blockchain companies.

The blockchain company nurturing project aims to foster 100 companies by 2030, targeting the cultivation of leading blockchain companies and advanced talent. Over five years, it plans to create 20 startups, train about 1,000 professionals, and generate approximately 1,500 jobs.

The Daegu Blockchain Technology Innovation Support Center plans to invest 1.9 billion KRW annually in local government funds for three years starting in 2024 to operate the center and support companies. It will build a sustainable blockchain ecosystem through discovering and commercializing projects linked with the Daegu Mainnet (Daegu Chain). In 2024, the center plans to actively conduct business with blockchain platform companies through △support for Daegu Blockchain Technology Innovation Support Center facilities △blockchain demonstration service development support △blockchain application service development support △customized support projects for blockchain companies △blockchain specialized personnel training and seminars △blockchain technology innovation support center company exchange meetings and demo day projects.

An official stated, “The Daegu Blockchain Technology Innovation Support Center aims to realize Daegu as a leading blockchain city by strengthening the competitiveness of the regional blockchain industry and creating a virtuous blockchain ecosystem,” adding, “To activate the project, we plan to actively support blockchain companies through participation in various events, vigorous promotional activities, and active exchanges with citizens.”