“Push the Penguin Who Jumps First”… UNIST Student Startup Selected as ‘First Penguin’

‘The Road’ Recognized for Eco-Friendly Catalyst Technology

Shin Yong Bo Jeung Geum Provides 1.5 Billion KRW Guarantee Over 3 Years

A startup founded by UNIST students will receive a financial guarantee of 1.5 billion KRW over three years.

UNIST (President Yong-Hoon Lee) announced on the 27th that the student startup company ‘The Road’ has been selected for the Credit Guarantee Fund’s ‘First Penguin’ program.

The First Penguin program selects startups with creative ideas and technological capabilities that have high potential to grow into unicorn companies, providing up to 3 billion KRW in guarantees from the Credit Guarantee Fund.

CEO Kim Yubin of The Road (left) is receiving a guarantee certificate from the Korea Credit Guarantee Fund.

With this selection, The Road is expected to receive financial guarantees totaling 1.5 billion KRW over the next three years.

The Road was founded by Dr. Yoo-bin Kim, a member of UNIST’s first class. The company was recognized for its eco-friendly catalyst technology and selected as a First Penguin.

It is a high-efficiency, low-cost hydrogen production and fuel cell technology utilizing the ‘Carbon Aerogel-Platinum Catalyst Platform.’ It is regarded as a new technology that will open the hydrogen economy era.

The Road stated, “We will use the guarantee funds to accelerate technology development and commercialization, and establish our position as a leader in hydrogen technology both domestically and internationally.”