KOTEC Selects 84 Companies for First-Stage Research Support in "BIRD Program"

Even Distribution Across AI, Biotechnology, and Semiconductors
332 Companies Apply... Competition Rate 4 to 1

The Korea Technology Finance Corporation (KOTEC) announced on June 11 that it has selected the final 84 companies for the "2025 BIRD Program" and completed the first stage (Pre-R&D) support.

The BIRD Program is a project in which KOTEC and the Korea Technology and Information Promotion Agency for SMEs (TIPA) collaborate to provide step-by-step support for the entire R&D process of small and medium-sized venture companies. Since its introduction in 2023, the program has addressed the delays in performance outcomes caused by the discontinuity between development and commercialization stages in the existing R&D support structure, and has contributed to accelerating commercialization results.

KOTEC and TIPA support the entire R&D lifecycle of small and medium-sized venture companies by providing: (1) Pre-R&D planning funds in the first stage, with KOTEC guaranteeing up to 200 million won; (2) R&D execution funds in the second stage, with TIPA providing grants of up to 500 million won; and (3) Post-R&D commercialization funds in the third stage, with KOTEC guaranteeing up to 3 billion won.

As of this year, the third year since the program's introduction, the two organizations have guaranteed a total of 21.8 billion won in planning funds to 218 companies, provided approximately 144.1 billion won (planned) in execution funds to 160 companies, and, including 2 billion won in guarantee-linked investments, have supported a cumulative total of about 190 billion won in R&D funds.

The companies selected for this first stage (Pre-R&D) were finalized through a three-step process: a first-round document review, a second-round expert evaluation committee, and a third-round technology assessment and guarantee review. The selection targeted technology companies in strategic technology and carbon neutrality sectors with annual sales of at least 2 billion won. A total of 332 companies applied, resulting in a competition rate of about 4 to 1.

The selected companies are evenly distributed across strategic technology fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology, semiconductors, and next-generation communications. Notably, the list also includes companies developing in fields that have previously seen relatively few selections, such as aerospace, marine robotics, and carbon neutrality.

Meanwhile, the companies eligible for the second stage (R&D) grant support will be finalized in July after undergoing TIPA's selection evaluation among those selected in the first stage (Pre-R&D). The third stage (Post-R&D) support will be announced separately for companies that complete the second stage.

KOTEC has been supporting projects with high industrial impact and innovation, regardless of existing guarantee history or financial status, to ensure that developed technologies can achieve real market outcomes. As a result, by last year, the 134 companies selected for the first stage saw their total sales increase by 8.45 billion won (an average of 63 million won per company) after receiving support, and total employment rose by 752 people (an average of 5.6 people per company), demonstrating concrete results.

Additionally, despite still being in the development stage, the selected companies have shown clear innovation outcomes, such as attracting 57.4 billion won in follow-up investments, producing three companies listed on KOSDAQ through the technology exception track (including one that passed the technology evaluation), and six companies receiving domestic and international awards or certifications such as NET and Industrial Packaging. This suggests even greater growth potential as full-scale commercialization efforts move forward.

Lee Jaepil, Director at KOTEC, stated, "The BIRD Program is a full-cycle integrated support model designed to organically link loans and grants so that R&D achievements can seamlessly lead to commercialization. As the dedicated financial institution for R&D commercialization, KOTEC will continue to build a comprehensive and practical financial support system to help outstanding ventures and startups with innovative technologies scale up."