From AI to Assistive Technologies: Outstanding Achievements in Technology Development Supported by Seoul

Seoul Metropolitan Government and SBA Hold Performance Sharing Event
410 Billion Won Invested to Strengthen SME Competitiveness
Eight Companies, Including Pureuns, Receive Mayor’s Award

This year’s innovative technologies, developed through the “Seoul-type Research and Development (R&D)” program supported by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, have been released. The results show that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are growing with the city’s support, winning CES Innovation Awards, collaborating with major industry players, and attracting increased investment.

On the afternoon of the 17th, the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Seoul Business Agency (SBA) held the “2025 Seoul-type R&D Performance Sharing Meeting” at the SETEC Convention Hall to spread these achievements. The event was attended by representatives from more than 200 companies participating in the Seoul-type R&D program, demonstrating the enthusiasm for the support project.

On the 17th, companies selected as outstanding enterprises and Seoul city officials are taking a commemorative photo at the "2025 Seoul-type R&D Performance Sharing Meeting" held at SETEC. Provided by Seoul City

Since 2005, the Seoul-type R&D support project has been the city’s flagship research and development program, driving technological competitiveness and industrial revitalization for SMEs based in Seoul. This year, the city invested a total of 41 billion won in R&D support, including 29.4 billion won in new funding. In particular, 153 new projects were selected and supported, focusing on six major next-generation growth industries: artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology, robotics, quantum technology, and others. The support system has also been advanced to a comprehensive model, enabling companies to proceed from technology development to demonstration and global expansion, with a focus on generating tangible business outcomes.

Thanks to this support, companies are achieving greater results. At the event, eight companies-Pureuns, Helper Robotics, Noryspace, Rootfinders, Impressivo Korea, MediIntech, NewCureM, and Petnow-received awards from the Mayor of Seoul for achieving the best results in the final evaluation of 2024 projects.

Lee Chiwon, CEO of MediIntech, which develops domestically produced smart endoscopes incorporating AI, said, “As a company developing specialized medical devices, it can be difficult to collaborate and communicate with medical professionals, but participating in the Seoul-type R&D project has been very helpful. When we met with hospitals and university professors, the response was very positive when we explained that we were not just localizing products, but conducting a major research project with support from the Seoul Metropolitan Government.”

Shin Hyunjun, CEO of Noryspace, which developed a document fraud detection system specialized for the insurance industry, said, “There are many excellent fintech companies in Seoul, not just in AI and biotech, but there are not that many support programs for fintech. We received tremendous help through the ‘Fintech Technology Commercialization Support Project’ from the Seoul Metropolitan Government and SBA.” Noryspace is currently conducting proof-of-concept (PoC) projects with two insurance companies and one bank, and is aiming to enter the global market by further advancing its technology.

Other companies have also achieved notable results, such as listing on KOSDAQ and winning CES Innovation Awards. Neurofit participated in the “2023 Bio/Medical Technology Commercialization Support Project” and developed brain perfusion imaging analysis software for acute stroke patient treatment planning, successfully listing on KOSDAQ this year. StudioLab participated in the “2023 Robot Technology Commercialization Support Project” and “2025 Testbed Seoul,” developing and demonstrating an automated robot capable of automatic shooting based on the subject. The company has won CES Innovation Awards for three consecutive years from 2023 to 2025.

The city is also supporting companies that develop innovative technologies aligned with its “accompanying the underprivileged” policy as well as future growth industries. At the “Assistive Technology Outstanding Companies Demonstration” held at the event, visitors could see technologies developed with Seoul-type R&D support to assist the underprivileged firsthand.

On the 17th, companies attending the "2025 Seoul-style R&D Performance Sharing Meeting" at SETEC are touring the demonstration booths of assistive technologies set up at the venue. Provided by Seoul City

MPWave, which received a total of 500 million won in support from the city over two years, showcased a hearing assistance app for the elderly and people with disabilities that is more comfortable than hearing aids. When speaking into the app at close range, users could clearly hear the other person’s voice through regular earphones without background noise or the need for a hearing aid. A company representative explained, “The goal is to solve problems such as hearing aids being heavy, causing ear pain, or the stigma of ‘wearing a hearing aid.’ With just this app, these issues can be addressed.”

“Plaedo” developed an integrated AI block platform for cognitive therapy for dementia. Taking into account the characteristics of elderly users who may have difficulty performing tasks using only a tablet, the system allows “problem identification” on the tablet and “problem solving” using custom-developed blocks. Kim Gwansuk, CEO of Plaedo, said, “Thanks to this core technology, we were selected as a National Innovation Product in July this year. My personal experience as a family member of a dementia patient was also very helpful in the development process.”

Next year, the Seoul-type R&D program will be announced with a budget of approximately 38.95 billion won and 194 projects. Notably, starting next year, the city will introduce, for the first time in Korea, a system for establishing “AI reliability standards” in Seoul-type R&D projects. By implementing “data quality certification and AI reliability verification and certification” for all R&D projects applying AI technology, the city expects to make significant contributions to strengthening the technological competitiveness of companies.

Joo Yongtae, Director General of Economic Policy at the Seoul Metropolitan Government, stated, “We will continue to provide more systematic and comprehensive follow-up support, from technology development to commercialization, investment, and technology certification, so that outstanding technologies can quickly and tangibly improve citizens’ lives and industrial sites, and so that technologies validated in Seoul can earn trust and expand globally.”