[Valuable Intellectual Property] Five Korean Companies Named as Finalists for the "Nobel Prize of Patents," Second Only to China

30 Finalists Selected for WIPO Global Awards
Korean Companies Increase from 1 to 5 This Year, Proving AI Competitiveness
Evaluated Based on IP Strategies, Innovation, and Sustainability

Five Korean companies have proven their competitiveness in artificial intelligence (AI) technology by being named as finalists for the Global Awards of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), often referred to as the "Nobel Prize of Patents." More than 780 small and startup companies from 95 countries around the world submitted applications, and 30 companies that pursue innovative management and sustainability through the use of intellectual property (IP) were selected as finalists.

According to the industry on June 24, WIPO will hold the Global Awards ceremony in Geneva, Switzerland, on July 11, honoring companies recognized for their IP strategies, innovation, and economic, social, and environmental sustainability.

WIPO received over 780 applications from 95 countries and announced 30 finalists recognized for their innovative solutions, strong IP strategies, and commitment to sustainability. Among these, five are Korean companies, the second highest number after China, which has six. This is a significant achievement, especially considering that last year, only one Korean company (Eight Tech) was selected among the 25 finalists. <Related Article = [Valuable Intellectual Property] The Secret Behind Korea's First Nobel Prize in Patents>

Notably, three Korean companies were selected in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector based on their advanced AI capabilities, demonstrating Korea's strong competitiveness in AI. The finalists are divided into five categories: health, environment, agri-food, creative industries, and ICT.

'Festivalon,' a finalist in the ICT sector, has developed a space safety solution using AI and Wi-Fi signal detection. The system uses AI to identify people and objects and can quickly respond to incidents such as falls, cardiac arrests, fires, and collapses. It is particularly useful in places where installing CCTV is difficult due to privacy and personal information concerns, such as restrooms, changing rooms, and care facilities. Another advantage is that it operates even in situations where internet and power are disconnected.

'Teramime,' a startup that developed the AI-based facial recognition system 'LESA Pass,' won the CES Innovation Award this year. Founded by Park Jaejun, a student at Korea University, the company was established with the vision of making daily life safer and more convenient. The system has been recognized for its high security, capable of defending against deepfake attacks, as well as its convenience. The company plans to apply this technology to various Internet of Things (IoT) devices and financial services in the future.

ICTK, a KOSDAQ-listed company established in 2001, possesses cybersecurity technology that generates a unique digital ID for each semiconductor during the manufacturing process. In particular, the company has enhanced security by additionally applying a post-quantum cryptography algorithm to its core technology. Security chips using this technology are considered physically impossible to duplicate, which helps prevent cyberattacks such as "USIM hacking."

Among the other finalists, 'Noel,' selected in the health sector, has developed a solution that combines AI and biotechnology to enable easy disease diagnosis even in regions with insufficient medical infrastructure. As of last month, the company had 69 registered patents and 21 pending patent applications. In the creative industries sector, 'Codegrim,' a 3D website creation platform, stands out by offering immersive 3D web experiences that bring content to life. The company protects its IP through software copyrights and design registrations.