KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency) is conducting a call for proposals for the 2024-2025 KOICA CTS program until August 12 to select companies that will contribute to the sustainable development of developing countries by linking excellent domestic innovative technologies and business strategies with ODA (Official Development Assistance).
As approaches utilizing private sector resources and expertise in overseas aid are emphasized, KOICA contributes to solving social issues in developing countries and supporting the overseas expansion of Korean companies through the Creative Technology Solution (CTS) program, which leverages private technology and resources as part of the Korean government’s overseas aid efforts.
CTS is a program that applies innovative ideas and technologies from innovators such as pre-startups, startups, and social enterprises within 10 years of establishment to ODA, seeking solutions to development cooperation challenges. Since 2015, it has supported 118 projects across 23 countries, improving the quality of life for over 4.5 million people in developing countries. Through the CTS program, KOICA nurtured ‘Noeul’ (listed on IPO in 2022), which addresses infectious diseases like malaria and tuberculosis in developing countries with infectious disease diagnostic technology, and created impact by providing cognitive development therapy programs to vulnerable children in Cambodia and India through ‘Dubu’ (formerly Dubrain), which developed digital cognitive therapy solutions for children with intellectual disabilities.
This year’s call is divided into three stages: Seed 1 (ODA Testbed), Seed 2 (Technology Commercialization), and CTS-TIPS Linked (Local Demonstration and Technology Commercialization). In particular, KOICA will newly implement the ‘CTS-TIPS Linked’ pilot project in cooperation with the Korea Startup Promotion Agency as a follow-up to the tripartite MOU signed in April among KOICA, the Startup Promotion Agency, and the Korea Technology Finance Corporation to support the global expansion of small and medium ventures.
Eligibility is limited to companies that meet at least one of the following: Ministry of SMEs and Startups TIPS successful companies, CTS Seed 1 or Seed 2 graduate companies, or CES Innovation Award-winning companies, and have raised at least 2 billion KRW in private investment over the past three years. The program seeks companies that will solve developing countries’ challenges with technology and business in the Korean government’s 10 new business sectors: △Eco-friendly & Energy △Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Big Data △Biotechnology (Bio) & Health △Future Mobility △Aerospace & Marine △Robotics △Cybersecurity & Network △System Semiconductors △Next-generation Nuclear Power △Quantum Technology.
Seed 1 is the ‘ODA Testbed’ stage, supporting companies developing prototypes and conducting small-scale verification based on innovative technologies that can contribute to solving economic and social problems in developing countries, with up to 300 million KRW in funding. Seed 2 is the ‘Technology Commercialization’ stage, supporting companies that improve innovative technologies or products completed in the first R&D phase to suit developing countries and achieve results through local partnership expansion, distribution, and sales, with up to 500 million KRW. The CTS-TIPS Linked is a Fast Track integrating Seed 1 and Seed 2, providing up to 800 million KRW per company.
CTS proposal submissions are accepted until August 12. Detailed information about the call can be found on the KOICA website under Institutional Calls, and inquiries can be directed to the KOICA CTS Support Center.
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