Kookmin University (President Jeong Seung Ryul) Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation has been selected for the ‘Seoul-type BRIDGE’ project, a component of Seoul Metropolitan Government's ‘Regional Innovation System & Education (RISE)’ initiative.

With this selection, Kookmin University will receive financial support totaling 2.6 billion won over four years from the Seoul Metropolitan Government, amounting to 650 million won annually. Based on this funding, Kookmin University plans to actively pursue the practical application and commercialization of its research outcomes by linking them to Seoul's five major strategic industries: artificial intelligence (AI), bio-health, fintech, robotics, and creative industries.

To overcome the structural limitations that have prevented university technology from connecting to the industrial field, Kookmin University will establish industry-academia cooperation councils where companies, researchers, and practitioners jointly participate by technology field. It will also build a permanent cooperation pipeline between the university and companies. Through this, the university will focus on ‘enhancing a demand-based university R&BD system’ by identifying the technical challenges and new business opportunities of Seoul-based startups and SMEs and matching them with promising technologies held by the university.

Furthermore, Kookmin University plans to establish and operate the ‘Seoul-type BRIDGE Fund,’ which recovers 30% of technology transfer revenue for reinvestment, thereby laying the groundwork for the dissemination of project outcomes and self-sustainability.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Kookmin University was highly evaluated in last year's JoongAng Ilbo university assessment for possessing top-tier startup support capabilities. Its strengths included ranking 2nd in industry-academic cooperation revenue per science and technology professor, 3rd in technology transfer income per science and technology professor, 1st in sales per startup company, 7th in startup support funding, and being selected for the Seoul Campus Town Startup Type program. This recognition stems from Kookmin University's sustained efforts to expand its role as a ‘company builder-type accelerator’. This involves establishing an integrated technology commercialization support system through collaboration between the Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation and Kookmin University Technology Holdings, encompassing not only technology transfer but also startup incubation, investment, and post-management.

Sohn JinSik, Director of the Kookmin University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation (Vice President for Planning), stated, “The selection for the Seoul-type BRIDGE project will be a crucial turning point in connecting Kookmin University's accumulated excellence in industry-academic cooperation with Seoul's strategic industries.” He added, “Through this, we will foster an innovation startup ecosystem based on deep tech in the relatively underdeveloped northeastern region of Seoul and create a model of mutual growth where the university and the local community thrive together.”