KOSME Opens Door to Private Investment for Companies in Regulation-Free and Global Innovation Special Zones

MOU Signed with Intervalue Partners
Accelerating Commercialization of New Technologies and Products through Investment Support

On April 20, the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME) announced that it had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Intervalue Partners to strengthen support for the commercialization of projects within Regulation-Free Special Zones and Global Innovation Special Zones.

This agreement was established as part of efforts to accelerate the commercialization of new technologies and products developed through special zone projects, in response to the growing demand for their market adoption. It also aims to expand private investment outcomes by supporting special zone project participants with technological capabilities and growth potential. Intervalue Partners operates the "Intervalue No.7 K Growth-Gyeonggi Regulation Sandbox Startup Investment Association," Korea's first fund specializing in regulation sandboxes. Since its founding over a decade ago, it has invested in promising technology companies in fields such as artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductors, managing assets totaling 164 billion KRW as a professional venture investment institution.

Banjeongsik, Director of Regional Innovation at JunginGong (right), is taking a commemorative photo with Youngseok Kim, CEO of Intervalue Partners.

Under the agreement, KOSME, as the dedicated agency for Regulation-Free Special Zones and Global Innovation Special Zones, will identify outstanding companies within these zones and recommend them to Intervalue Partners. Intervalue Partners will actively support the scale-up and IPO preparation of recommended companies through investments utilizing its regulation sandbox fund, mentoring, management and IPO consulting, and connections with venture capital.

Taking this agreement as an opportunity, the two organizations also plan to hold investment attraction and networking events with venture capitalists in the first half of this year, aiming to promote practical exchanges between special zone companies and investors.

Banjeongsik, Director of Regional Innovation at KOSME, stated, "This agreement serves as a catalyst for joint government and private sector support for regional special zone companies that possess new technologies and products but face difficulties in securing funding." He added, "KOSME will actively support the commercialization of technologies and global expansion of companies in Regulation-Free Special Zones and Global Innovation Special Zones."