12 Billion Won Poured into Gwangju G-Unicorns...What Drove Their 2.3-Fold Sales Surge?

Intensive support for five companies in AI, bio, and hydrogen... Linking investment and proof-of-concept
Fifteen companies selected since 2023... Driving commercialization and growth programs

The 'G-Unicorn companies' fostered by Gwangju Metropolitan City have achieved visible results in investment attraction, sales growth, and job creation. The five companies selected last year attracted investments totaling 12 billion won within one year and recorded an average sales growth rate of 231%.

On the 23rd, Gwangju City announced that the five companies selected last year as 'G-Unicorn companies' had attracted a total of 12 billion won in new investments. Their combined sales reached 27.7 billion won, and the average year-on-year growth rate by company was 231%. They also created 36 new jobs.

Last year: "G-Unicorn Company Performance Sharing Meeting". Provided by Gwangju City

The 'G-Unicorn Fostering Program' is a scaling-up program that selects startups with high growth potential and provides intensive support for commercialization funding, technology advancement, investment linkage, and global expansion. It operates a 'growth ladder-type support system' that connects all the way through to proof-of-concept and investment.

The companies selected last year are five in total: iMediTech, Vessel AI Korea, Biocom, STH, and Fine Korea.

iMediTech developed a nanofiber scaffold and manufacturing device for interventional procedures and completed evaluations of technological stability and efficacy. It achieved sales of approximately 5.2 billion won in 2025. It also signed memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with companies in the United States and China.

Vessel AI Korea, based on its artificial intelligence orchestration platform for the development and operation of generative artificial intelligence (AI), has secured real-world use cases in the public and financial sectors. It has obtained 11 domestic and overseas patents.

Biocom has advanced its personalized metabolic disorder and obesity management solution based on an on-device artificial intelligence agent. It recorded sales of approximately 12.3 billion won in 2025. It also completed the attraction of Series A investment.

STH developed high-durability carbon support and catalyst technology for hydrogen fuel cells. It acquired two patents transferred from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). It signed three non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) for technology cooperation with overseas companies.

Fine Korea developed biodegradable composite materials for medical use. It developed two new biodegradable materials and passed seven biological safety evaluations for regulatory approval. It also signed two memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with China's WeGO Group.

Companies selected for 2023-2024 are also continuing their growth trajectory. Through an open innovation program, they are conducting proof-of-concept collaborations with large and mid-sized companies such as HD Hyundai Samho and NICE Information & Telecommunication. Some companies have pushed for listing on the KOSDAQ market, established branches in the United States, and achieved the feat of winning at CES for three consecutive years.

Since 2023, Gwangju City has selected 15 companies as 'G-Unicorn' companies to date. It has supported them with commercialization funding and customized growth programs. It is operating a step-by-step linkage system that covers everything from discovering early-stage startups to proof-of-concept, investment, and global expansion.

Oh Younggeol, Director General for Economic Startups, said, "Through the G-Unicorn Fostering Program, local startups are achieving results in technology advancement, increased sales, investment attraction, and global expansion," adding, "We will strengthen our support so that they can leap forward to become world-class unicorn companies."