From Early Startup to Technological Innovation to Global Expansion
Three-Stage Growth Strategy Bears Fruit
Gumi City in Gyeongbuk is accelerating its efforts to attract and nurture startups based on advanced technology, establishing itself as a "startup-specialized city."
Startup support policies jointly promoted by Gumi City and the Gumi Electronics & Information Technology Research Institute are being evaluated as leading to tangible results, such as technology commercialization and overseas expansion.
The city is drawing attention by building a startup ecosystem centered on a "three-stage growth strategy" that connects initial startup support, technology validation, and entry into global markets.
◆ Ultra-precision color lens startup "Colorlen" relocates to Gumi
Colorlen, which relocated to Indong 22-gil in Gumi last March, is a startup that manufactures high-resolution color contact lenses based on ultra-precision printing technology at the 20,000 DPI level. Originally founded in Daegu, the company is currently securing factory land and establishing equipment in response to Gumi City's active invitation.
Through the Gumi-type Startup Tiptop Nurturing Project, Colorlen received support for cleanroom construction costs amounting to 200 million KRW and plans to supply 200,000 units of its initial production volume to the domestic market in the second half of this year. The company also plans to enter overseas markets such as Japan and to hire more than 20 new employees in the future.
◆ Surgical navigation company A4 Lab accelerates commercialization
A4 Lab, which possesses navigation technology enabling surgical accuracy of less than 1mm, was selected for the Gumi-type Tiptop Project and is now accelerating commercialization. Having completed clinical validation at major university hospitals in Korea, the company plans to supply its products to the oral and maxillofacial surgery department at Seoul S Hospital in the second half of the year.
Gumi City is providing close support at every stage, including assistance with obtaining ISO13485 and GMP certifications, wage subsidies, government project linkages, and staff matching. A4 Lab has been consecutively selected for the Ministry of SMEs and Startups’ Early Startup Package (100 million KRW) and the Korea Credit Guarantee Fund’s First Penguin Program (2 billion KRW guarantee), and is preparing to secure venture investment (200 million KRW) as well as a TIPS R&D project (500 million KRW).
Park Jaeyoung, CEO of A4 Lab, stated, "We plan to hire three graduates from Uiseong Software Meister High School in Gyeongbuk and have them relocate to Gumi," adding that the company will also focus on recruiting local young talent.
◆ Notable achievements in technology matching between local companies and startups
Gumi City is also actively facilitating technology cooperation between local companies and startups. Recently, the city matched TSR Co., Ltd., which manufactures automotive semi-finished products such as dust-proof rubber, with the casting technology startup Needs Fix, successfully resolving quality improvement tasks.
Needs Fix analyzed overseas production cases and proposed quality verification measures, while also suggesting the use of squeeze casting technology to address TSR's product quality issues. Through these efforts, Gumi City is working to strengthen supply chain competitiveness by linking the technological capabilities of startups with the region's manufacturing base.
◆ F to N Medical Korea rapidly enters the U.S. market
F to N Medical Korea received 200 million KRW in support through the Gumi-type Tiptop Project and is gaining attention in the U.S. market with its glasses-free light field 3D display technology. This technology, combined with viewpoint-tracking AI, has overcome the limitations of existing products, and demand is spreading, particularly in the U.S. automotive and medical device markets.
As of 2024, the company achieved sales of 5.3 billion KRW (including 1.2 billion KRW in exports) and completed investment attraction totaling 300 million KRW. Gumi City is also promoting national funding-linked projects such as the Startup Leap Package in collaboration with the Technology Guarantee Fund and the Korea Credit Guarantee Fund.
◆ Intensive support for early-stage startups through "Startup Field"
Gumi City has established "Startup Field," a space for companies less than five years old, within the Gumi City Integrated Business Center, offering benefits such as the nation’s lowest rent and full support for interior costs for tenants.
In the first round of tenant recruitment held in April, 42 companies applied, demonstrating high interest. The city plans to nurture this space as a key startup hub connecting production, distribution, and sales.
◆ Gumi’s first CES Innovation Award: "Xbig" begins North American exports in earnest
Xbig received Gumi City’s first Innovation Award at CES 2025 for its AI-based golf targeting solutions "H View" and "Putting View," and began full-scale global expansion by participating in the PGA Golf Show in the United States.
In May, the company signed an export contract worth USD 1 million (approximately 1.3 billion KRW) in Seattle, USA. Gumi City plans to support the development of follow-up models and global market expansion through the new "New Venture Support Project" (worth 100 million KRW) in 2025.
Moon Chuyeon, President of the Gumi Electronics & Information Technology Research Institute, stated, "The growth of technology startups is directly linked to the competitiveness of the region," adding, "We will boldly support companies with growth potential."
Kim Jangho, Mayor of Gumi City, said, "We will spread the successful model of Gumi as a startup city and establish it as a home base for promising technology companies," and added, "We will put forward innovative and effective startup support that breaks the existing mold."
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