Futureplay Named 2025 'TIPS Operator of the Year'... Receives Minister of SMEs and Startups Commendation

11 Years of TIPS Operation and Achievements in Deep Tech and Global Scaling Up
"Expanding Customized R&D Support with Recommendation Rights Across All TIPS Tracks"

Futureplay announced on the 19th that it has been selected as an outstanding operator of the TIPS (Tech Incubator Program for Startup) program for 2025 and has also received a commendation from the Minister of SMEs and Startups.

On the 18th, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Oh Hyung Kwon, CEO of Futureplay (right), is receiving a TIPS Merit Award from Sung Sook Han, Minister of SMEs and Startups. Futureplay

Since being selected as a second cohort operator of TIPS in 2014, Futureplay has accumulated achievements across the entire private-led investment track by operating the TIPS, Deep Tech TIPS, and Scale-up TIPS programs over the past 11 years. This award is interpreted as recognition of Futureplay's support system, which links investment, research and development (R&D), and global expansion.

This year, in particular, Futureplay was additionally selected as a "global specialized operator" to strengthen its global expansion support capabilities, thereby enhancing its support system for startups targeting overseas markets. Based on its strength as an operator with the ability to recommend for all TIPS tracks-including general, deep tech, scale-up, and global-Futureplay plans to provide broader, customized R&D funding next year, tailored to each company's stage and growth objectives, as the TIPS program undergoes a comprehensive overhaul.

Oh Hyung Kwon, CEO of Futureplay, said, "This ministerial commendation is a result of the high regard for Futureplay's ongoing efforts to grow the deep tech ecosystem, and I am deeply grateful. Next year, based on our ability to recommend across all tracks, we will actively support the global expansion of domestic technology companies."

Meanwhile, Futureplay has established a dedicated "Growth Finance Team" to provide integrated support for R&D and fundraising. The Growth Finance Team strategically utilizes government support programs, financial institution loan products, and policy finance connections, taking into account the growth stage and financial conditions of each portfolio company. This is aimed at designing an optimized fundraising structure for each company and ensuring stable capital acquisition even after investment.