Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP; President Taeseok OH) will host the 175th KISTEP Wednesday Forum on Wednesday, November 26, at 2:00 p.m. (KST) at IT Square, 2F, Oakwood Premier COEX Center. The forum is titled “From Research Outcomes to Market Innovation: R&I Strategies for a Performance‑Linked Innovation System.”

The forum will focus on (i) ways to streamline and improve the efficiency of diverse funding and investment channels to boost tech entrepreneurship; (ii) measures to promote public–private collaboration and foster a virtuous cycle of investment; and (iii) strategies to deliver on key government policy initiatives aimed at nurturing tech start‑ups and deep tech.

The entire event will be recorded and released on KISTEP’s YouTube channel

* https://www.youtube.com/KISTEPTV(search “KISTEP/키스텝”)

Taeseok OH, President of KISTEP

The forum’s featured presentations will bring together KISTEP speakers and outside experts for in‑depth discussions of the latest trends and policy implications in the relevant fields.

Jun, Seung-su, Director General, Office of National R&D Coordination&Evaluation, KISTEP

“From Research to Market Innovation: Deep Science and ‘Unicorn‑Lab’ Strategies for an Entrepreneurial State.”

Jeon will call for the government to take on a new role as a leading risk‑taker amid a shifting technological and economic landscape.

Kang‑hwan Lee, Chief Strategy Officer (CSO), SPECS

“R&D Investment and Tech Entrepreneurship.”

A review of government and private‑sector R&D investment under a technology‑led growth paradigm, and options to close the gap between R&D and commercialization.

Ok‑hyeong Lee, Director, Eugene Investment & Securities

“Energizing the Technology Investment Ecosystem.”

An analysis of Korea’s R&D and venture‑investment ecosystem, underscoring the need for flexible policy adjustments that reflect market conditions and policy direction.

Gyu‑seok Lee, Senior Research Fellow at the Korea Economic Research Institute (KERI), will present on “K‑Unicorns at Risk of Extinction—and How to Respond,” reviewing the status of unicorn companies in Korea and abroad and outlining directions for regulatory easing and public–private co‑investment to help foster new K‑unicorns.

The wrap‑up discussion will be chaired by Taeseok OH, President of KISTEP, and will further develop the forum’s theme—R&I strategies for a results‑linked innovation system—through a range of follow‑on discussions.

President OH underscored the significance of the forum, stating, “We will focus our discussions on a range of strategies to explore pathways for Korea to move beyond technology‑led growth and leap forward as an R&I‑driven innovation nation.”