Economic Content Platform for Investors
by Min Chanki
Pubilshed 17 Jul.2025 09:31(KST)
Updated 25 Jul.2025 18:06(KST)
The Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) announced on July 17 that its holding company, GIST Technology Holdings Co., Ltd. (GIST Holdings), which was established in December 2023, has been selected for both the first and second rounds of the 2024 Korea Fund of Funds regular investment program. This achievement makes GIST Holdings the only university technology holding company to be named as a fund manager in both rounds.
This result demonstrates the effectiveness of GIST’s deep tech-focused startup investment strategy and its ability to rapidly achieve commercialization outcomes. GIST Holdings is expected to play a central role in revitalizing the region’s technology startup ecosystem in the future.
In April, just 1 year and 4 months after its establishment, GIST Holdings was selected as the manager of a 5 billion won early-stage (small) startup fund, setting a record for the fastest selection among existing university technology holding companies. Last month, it was also chosen as the manager of a 2.5 billion won university startup fund, securing a total of 7.5 billion won in funds.
The two funds secured this time will contribute to the creation of a deep tech startup ecosystem through distinct strategies. The first fund, the “Gwangju Deep Tech Innovation Fund,” will focus on early-stage startups in GIST’s three specialized deep tech fields?AI, bio, and photonics (laser)?and will provide concentrated investments of up to 300 million won per company. This will strengthen connections with government support programs such as TIPS and accelerate rapid growth. Synergy is also expected through collaboration with the Gwangju Center for Creative Economy and Innovation, a TIPS fund manager participating as a co-GP.
The second fund, the “G-Startup Deep Tech University Startup Fund,” will focus on nurturing technology startups based in master’s and doctoral-level laboratories. In partnership with Gwangju United Technology Holdings, which has the largest university startup network in the Honam region and is also participating as a co-GP, the fund will establish a “deep tech star laboratory serial startup model.” Based on this, it aims to spread a sustainable startup model.
GIST Holdings plans to begin full-scale investments in the second half of this year. In addition to universities and research institutes in the Honam region, the company will promote the creation of additional funds and the establishment of a self-sustaining model centered on fund management through collaborative partnerships with science and technology institutes such as the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), and Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST).
By strategically concentrating investments in GIST’s three specialized fields?AI, bio, and photonics (laser)?the institute aims to achieve the core goal of “GIST Vision 2053,” which is to foster 30 unicorn-level companies, thereby driving regional economic innovation and the nationwide spread of technology commercialization outcomes.
GIST President Lim Ki-chul stated, “GIST Holdings is realizing a virtuous cycle model by building the foundation for innovation independently and accumulating capital to reinvest in the future. Based on a spirit of practical scholarship, we will lead the innovation economy together with promising regional companies.”
Sang Yeoju, CEO of GIST Holdings, said, “We will provide practical support to deep tech startups that require rapid growth, invigorating the startup ecosystem in the Honam region. We aim to establish ourselves as a leading model for self-sustaining university technology holding companies.”
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