Mayor Lee Jangwoo of Daejeon: "We Will Continue to Expand the Defense Innovation Ecosystem"

Meeting Held with Defense Innovation Companies 100 Selected Firms
Encouragement and Listening to Companies' Challenges...
Discussion on Support Policies and Development Strategies for Defense Companies

Photo by Daejeon City

Lee Jangwoo, Mayor of Daejeon, stated, "Daejeon is undoubtedly growing as the nation's leading advanced defense capital, and the companies selected for the Defense Innovation Companies 100 are playing a significant role in elevating its status." He added, "We will continue to expand the defense innovation ecosystem through support for companies moving into the Ansan Advanced Defense Industrial Complex, operation of the Daejeon Investment Fund, tailored talent development for businesses, and focused policies to nurture local defense companies."

Mayor Lee made these remarks on January 8 during a meeting with the representatives of seven companies from Daejeon that were selected for the Defense Acquisition Program Administration's 2025 'Defense Innovation Companies 100' project.

The meeting was attended by Jeong Han, CEO of i3system; Hwangbo Jemin, CEO of Lion Robotics; Oh Hyunwoong, CEO of Steplab; Ryu Seokjin, CEO of Users; Lee Enok, CEO of Datamaker; Kim Jeongbeom, CEO of Ucube; and Cho Seongik, CEO of Telepix.

Launched in 2022 by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, the 'Defense Innovation Companies 100' project designates and fosters a total of 100 small and venture companies over five years-about 20 companies per year-that possess innovative technologies in five major advanced strategic defense industries: space, drones, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and robotics.

Of the 21 companies selected for 2025, announced in December last year, seven (33%) are based in Daejeon, marking a significant achievement. From 2022 to 2025, 26 out of 83 selected companies (31.3%) were from Daejeon, the highest number among non-metropolitan regions.

Each company can receive up to 5 billion won in government funding over five years for technology development projects, and they are granted comprehensive benefits including consulting, financial support, research and development support, export assistance, and additional points in Defense Acquisition Program Administration project evaluations.

During the meeting, company representatives shared their experiences preparing for the Defense Innovation Companies 100 selection, discussed their core technologies and achievements, while Daejeon City encouraged the companies, listened to their challenges, and explored both administrative support measures and strategies for advancing the defense industry.