D-Unicorn Project Drives Regional Economy Through Growth of Innovative Companies

Daejeon City, Daejeon Technopark, and the Innopolis Venture Association held the “D-Unicorn Entrepreneurs’ Day” on the 9th, sharing the achievements of the D-Unicorn Project, which has been promoted over the past four years.

Held at the D-Unicorn Lounge, the event was attended by more than 70 participants, including Daejeon Mayor Jang Woo Lee, officials from related organizations, and executives of D-Unicorn companies.

The D-Unicorn Project is Daejeon’s representative corporate support initiative, aimed at fostering high-potential, technology-based local companies into global unicorns.

Companies selected as D-Unicorns receive comprehensive, tailored support, including business commercialization funding, priority access to the D-Unicorn Lounge, investment attraction programs, and assistance with global market entry.

Since 2022, the city has selected 10 companies annually, with a total of 40 companies supported to date, achieving notable outcomes.

Comparing the performance of the 2nd to 4th cohorts before and after selection, D-Unicorn companies achieved remarkable results: an increase of KRW 56.8 billion in sales, 133 additional jobs, and a rise of KRW 318.6 billion in corporate value. Since 2023, investment briefings and consulting programs have helped seven Daejeon companies attract a combined KRW 38.8 billion in investment.

Up until last year, companies such as Wontech, Plasmapp, Y-Biologics, and iBeam Technology were listed on KOSDAQ. This year, IntoCell and Nota were added, bringing the total number of KOSDAQ-listed companies produced through the program to six.

During the event, outstanding startup awards were presented to three companies—Niva Corporation, JJNS, and EcoInEnergy—in recognition of their strong sales performance. Daejeon Technopark, the implementing organization of the D-Unicorn Project, also received an award for excellence in corporate support.

Choi Won-Hyuk, Director of the Daejeon City Corporate Support Bureau, stated, “The D-Unicorn Project is a core initiative for nurturing innovative companies in Daejeon, a leading science and technology city. We will continue to identify and foster promising companies with excellent technological capabilities and growth potential.”

D-独角兽项目以创新企业成长带动地区经济发展

大田市、大田科技园和创新都市创业协会于9日举办了“D-独角兽企业家日”活动，分享过去四年来推进的 D-独角兽项目成果。

活动在 D-独角兽休息室举行，大田市长李章雨、相关机构负责人及 D-独角兽企业员工等 70 余人出席。

D-独角兽项目是大田市代表性的企业培育项目，旨在将具有高成长潜力的本地技术型企业培养成全球独角兽企业。

入选 D-独角兽企业后，可获得企业定制化的全方位支持，包括商业化资金支援、D-独角兽休息室优先使用权、投融资对接项目以及全球市场进出支援等。

自 2022 年以来，大田市每年遴选 10 家企业，截至今年已累计支持 40 家企业，并取得多项成果。

对比第 2~4 期企业入选前后的变化，D-独角兽企业实现了销售额增加 568 亿韩元、就业增加 133 人、企业价值提升 3186 亿韩元的显著成果。自 2023 年起，通过投资说明会及咨询，大田地区 7 家企业成功吸引了总计 388 亿韩元的投资。

截至去年，Wontech、Plasmapp、Y-Biologics、iBeam Technology 已完成科斯达克上市，今年又新增 IntoCell 和 Nota，使项目累计诞生 6 家科斯达克上市公司。

当天活动上，因销售业绩优异，Niva Corporation、JJNS、EcoInEnergy 等 3 家企业获得优秀创业企业表彰；D-独角兽项目执行机构大田科技园也因企业支援贡献而获得表彰。

大田市企业支援局局长崔元赫表示：“D-独角兽项目是培育大田创新企业的核心事业。今后将继续努力发掘并培育拥有卓越技术力和成长潜力的有望企业。”