Opening the Door to Exports with Intellectual Property... Northern Gyeongbuk Companies Set for Takeoff

Full-Scale Launch of 2026 Comprehensive IP Support
Expansion of "Global Star Company" and Emergency Support Programs

The Gyeongbuk Northern Intellectual Property Center, under the Andong Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is officially launching its 2026 intellectual property (IP) support programs to strengthen the competitiveness of businesses in the northern Gyeongbuk region.

Andong Chamber of Commerce and Industry Gyeongbuk Northern Intellectual Property Center

The center announced that it will implement the 2026 IP support projects for aspiring entrepreneurs in Gyeongsangbuk-do and small and medium-sized enterprises located in the eight northern cities and counties of Gyeongbuk (Andong, Yeongju, Mungyeong, Yecheon, Uiseong, Bonghwa, Cheongsong, and Yeongyang), with program-specific announcements to be made sequentially starting in January.

The core project this year is the "Global IP Star Company Development" initiative. Announced on January 12, this program enters its third year, with both the scale of support and the expected impact set to expand further.

The goal is to select promising small and medium-sized enterprises with high growth potential among export (or soon-to-export) companies and provide systematic support across all aspects of intellectual property, including patents, trademarks, and designs, thereby nurturing them into leading small giants that will drive the regional economy.

In addition, from February, a variety of IP convergence support programs will be implemented throughout the year. The "IP Stepping Stone Program" for aspiring entrepreneurs in Gyeongsangbuk-do will provide IP education and support for the protection of ideas, while the "Emergency IP Support" program for small and medium-sized enterprises in northern Gyeongbuk will assist with the development and protection of patents, brands, and designs.

The "IP Narae Program," targeting companies within seven years of establishment, will help lay the foundation for growth by linking the creation and utilization of intellectual property. Furthermore, a "Support for IP Rights Protection" program will be conducted in parallel for companies located in Andong, Yeongju, and Uiseong.

Kang Kihoon, head of the center, stated, "In a situation where global economic slowdown and the strengthening of protectionism are increasing uncertainties in the business environment, intellectual property is a core asset that enables local companies to achieve sustainable growth. We will actively support companies so that they can turn crises into opportunities by providing customized IP support that responds immediately to on-site demands, with a focus on strengthening export, technology, and brand competitiveness."

He added, "The Gyeongbuk Northern Intellectual Property Center of the Andong Chamber of Commerce and Industry will be a true partner so that regional companies can become competitive small giants not only in the domestic market but also on the global stage."

Meanwhile, the Andong Chamber of Commerce and Industry, led by Chairman Lee Daewon, plans to contribute to improving the industrial ecosystem and revitalizing the regional economy in northern Gyeongbuk through a system for nurturing companies based on intellectual property.