The Innopolis Venture Association (Chairman: Cho Wonhee, hereinafter referred to as "the Association") has successfully completed the Daejeon Defense Innovation Cluster Defense Drone Technology Commercialization Support Project.
The Association, together with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, Daejeon Metropolitan City, Agency for Defense Development, and Daejeon Technopark, has been carrying out the Daejeon Defense Innovation Cluster's defense drone technology commercialization sector. For the third consecutive year, it has operated programs to foster a public-private-military cooperation ecosystem and to pioneer global market entry channels.
This year, to establish a public-private-military cooperation system, the Association conducted six technology exchange meetings, seven professional capacity building training sessions, one Daejeon Defense Festa, and operated one Daejeon Defense Innovation Cluster online platform.
Additionally, aiming for global market expansion, the Association provided support for market research and analysis to 10 companies, marketing package support to 10 companies, assistance for entry into Turkey to 5 companies, and support for entry into Dubai to 5 companies.
Through the public-private-military cooperation system program, the Association facilitated exchanges among Daejeon defense drone companies, the military, and both large and small-to-medium enterprises, discovering various collaborative models. Furthermore, professional capacity building training supported the practical work capabilities of company executives and employees.
In October, the Association signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Army Air Defense School, and companies participating in the program achieved tangible results, including winning at the Dronebot Challenge and receiving the 2026 CES Innovation Award.
In addition, through the Daejeon Defense Innovation Cluster online platform, the Association continuously provides information related to the Daejeon defense industry and defense drone companies, contributing to the expansion of the industry’s base. The number of platform visitors has also been steadily increasing each month.
As part of the global market development program, the Association advanced into Turkey and Dubai this year, resulting in the signing of a total of four MOUs and NDAs locally in Dubai, as well as progress in export contract negotiations. Some companies that participated last year also achieved their first exports to Indonesia, continuing to deliver tangible results in overseas market development.
An Association representative stated, "Through ongoing exchange programs, we have strengthened cooperation among companies and achieved results in securing new overseas partners and sales channels based on the global market development program. In 2026, we plan to continue operating public-private-military cooperation ecosystem and global expansion programs through the Defense Innovation Cluster project, and we will begin recruiting participating companies after February."
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