Mobile dual-arm robot developed by Rainbow Robotics (Image provided by KAIST)
DAEJEON, South Korea, April 15 (Korea Bizwire) — Startups founded by alumni and faculty of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have emerged as a driving force in South Korea’s innovation economy, with 20 companies going public over the past four years and a combined market capitalization exceeding ₩10 trillion (approximately $7.1 billion).
According to data released Monday by KAIST, the roster includes robotics pioneer Rainbow Robotics, which entered the KOSDAQ market in February 2021. The company was founded by mechanical engineering professor emeritus Oh Jun-ho, who led the development of Korea’s first bipedal humanoid robot.
Today, Rainbow Robotics commands a valuation of around ₩5 trillion, having expanded into collaborative robots, quadrupeds, and dual-arm mobile systems.
Another standout is Lunit, a leading medical AI firm co-founded in 2013 by six KAIST alumni. The company, known for its AI-powered cancer diagnostics and personalized treatment solutions, became one of Korea’s first-generation AI ventures. It went public in July 2022 and is now valued at ₩1.5 trillion.
AI imaging analysis solution developed by Lunit (Image provided by KAIST)
Angel Robotics, established in 2017 by mechanical engineering professor Kong Kyung-chul, focuses on wearable robotic systems for rehabilitation and industrial strength augmentation. The company debuted on the KOSDAQ in March 2024 and is currently valued at ₩420 billion.
Four KAIST-affiliated startups—including Angel Robotics and bio-imaging firm Tomocube—successfully listed in 2024 alone, underscoring the institute’s deepening influence in the biotech and robotics sectors.
Since 2021, KAIST-affiliated founders have launched an average of 110 startups annually. The school has accelerated this momentum by streamlining its startup approval process—eliminating mandatory faculty review and presidential sign-off—and allowing students to take indefinite leave for entrepreneurial ventures, beyond the previous cap of four semesters.
To further reduce development time, KAIST has introduced “Fast Prototyping” programs, which match founders with external experts and subsidize prototype costs, slashing the average production time from two years to six months.
“We aim to build a technology-based startup ecosystem uniquely suited to Korea’s environment,” said Bae Hyun-min, director of the KAIST Startup Institute. “By nurturing innovation and job creation, we’re contributing directly to the country’s future growth engines.”
Image courtesy of KAIST
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
