South Korea’s Ministry of SMEs and Startups has announced the selection of 50 promising ‘baby unicorn’ startups as part of its ambitious 2025 Global Unicorn Project, marking a crucial milestone in the nation’s drive to cultivate world-class technology startups and enhance its competitive edge in the global innovation ecosystem.
The selection process proved highly competitive, with 217 companies vying for just 50 spots, creating a competitive ratio of approximately 4.3:1. This stringent evaluation ensures that only ventures with verified technology capabilities and substantial market potential receive government backing. The Baby Unicorn Development Project operates under the umbrella of South Korea’s broader Global Unicorn Project, an initiative designed to identify innovative companies whose corporate value has been validated by investment markets and accelerate their development into globally competitive unicorn enterprises. Since its inception in 2020, the program has supported a total of 350 companies through 2025.
The 2025 cohort demonstrates a remarkable concentration in cutting-edge technology sectors. An overwhelming 86% of selected companies—43 out of 50—operate within 10 major deep technology domains, including artificial intelligence, big data analytics, biotechnology, clean energy solutions, robotics, cybersecurity, future mobility systems, and aerospace technology.
The 2025 cohort demonstrates a remarkable concentration in cutting-edge technology sectors. An overwhelming 86% of selected companies—43 out of 50—operate within 10 major deep technology domains, including artificial intelligence, big data analytics, biotechnology, clean energy solutions, robotics, cybersecurity, future mobility systems, and aerospace technology.
The selected companies showcase impressive financial and operational metrics, with average corporate valuations reaching KRW 32.1 billion and average investment attraction of KRW 5.61 billion. These companies generate average annual sales of KRW 4.4 billion while maintaining lean operations with approximately 30 employees per company.
Selected companies will receive substantial government support designed to accelerate their path to unicorn status. The financial assistance includes market development funding of up to KRW 300 million and special guarantees from the Korea Technology Finance Corporation reaching up to KRW 5 billion. Additionally, a newly introduced performance-linked guarantee system provides additional guarantees without separate review processes for companies achieving specific milestones in follow-up investment and sales performance.
The program extends beyond financial backing to offer strategic globalization support, including facilitated investor relations activities with international investors, participation opportunities in major global technology exhibitions, market entry programs developed in partnership with KOTRA trade offices worldwide, and access to specialized global consulting services.
<Lists of 50 Baby Unicorns>
NextPayments = AI smart store technology startup
Loplat = Customer offline data analysis
LuluMedic = Medical my-data integration platform
BiteME = Pet commerce platform
Vendit = Accommodation automation operation solution
Brave Company = Creator commerce
BizData = AI convergence solution specialist
SoftSquared = Development team subscription service
SolDoc = Non-contact medical care IT solution
SketchSoft = 3D drawing app ‘Feather’ for designers
SpaceWavy = Modular housing supply startup
Sling = Tablet learning app ‘Orzo’
Adova = Creator content platform
SC Solution = Global AIoT leak detection solution
AidenLab = Global marketing and e-commerce
Aqua development = Smart aquaculture startup
Wert Intelligence = Patent data-based AI company
ULift = Mobile coding education specialist
InnodTech = AI orthodontic solution
Inflab = IT education platform
Fanding = Global fandom platform
Higher Corporation = Beauty medical devices
Korea Spatial Data = Spatial management solution
White Cube = Brand growth challenge platform
NeuroVenti = New drug development
Digm Bio = New drug development
Leesol = Healthcare and sleep management
InnoVac = Vaccine development
Zeronecellvane = Biotechnology company
J Ints Bio = AI new drug development
GBiologics = Bio pharmaceutical development
Labincube = Porous new material (INCUBE) development
Roots Lab = Waste upcycling specialist
Solum Advanced Materials = New material asymmetric rolling technology
SCS = AI motor thermal management system
Kairos = Electronic component materials company
Future EV = Commercial electric vehicle manufacturing
Brils = Systems engineering company
Able Labs = Bio experiment automation startup
Gatda = Resource recovery service ‘Minus’
Miliwave = Ultra-high frequency RF solution specialist
eFlow = Powertrain specialist for micro mobility
CSO = Optical camera system design
Dealer Tire = Tire distribution platform
MRMilk = Premium dairy product brand
Break & Company = Trading card platform
Trash Busters = Reusable tableware rental service
Fortify = Mental healthcare solution
Gadget Korea = eSIM data roaming platform
Hygge = Distribution/logistics
