Jeju Becomes Aerospace Open Innovation Hub… Startup

Jeju is garnering attention as a new testing ground for the aerospace industry. Amid the rapid growth of the private space sector, the Jeju Creative Economy Innovation Center is accelerating the creation of an aerospace ecosystem through an open innovation platform that connects large corporations with startups.

Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, Jeju Creative Economy Innovation Center, DRB Dongil, and Intellian Tech announced that they held the '2026 Aerospace Open Ground Meetup' at J-Space in the Jeju Center on the 24th.

The Aerospace Open Ground Program, now in its second year, is Jeju's representative open innovation program that discovers opportunities for proof of concept (PoC) and commercialization through collaboration between demand companies and startups in the aerospace sector.

This year, advanced materials company DRB Dongil and satellite communication antenna specialist Intellian Tech participated as demand companies to explore possibilities for cooperation with startups.

Eleven aerospace and deep tech startups selected through open recruitment and document evaluation participated in this meetup.

About 50 people, including representatives from client companies, investors, and experts, attended the event, and participating companies showcased core technologies in the aerospace sector, such as satellite communications, antennas, and advanced materials.

In the first part, Jeju Province introduced its strategy and policy direction for fostering the aerospace industry, followed by a reverse pitching session in which DRB Dongil and Intellian Tech proposed technology demands and collaboration projects.

In the second part, one-on-one business meetings were held between startups and client companies. Participating companies engaged in detailed discussions regarding technology cooperation, joint research and development, demonstration projects, and strategies for commercialization.

This year's event went beyond simple business meetings and also featured practical growth support programs.

Customized consulting for startups was provided through office hours featuring experts in fields such as investment attraction, business expansion, technology evaluation, technology special listing, and securities-based crowdfunding.

The Jeju Center plans to continue providing follow-up support, including Pre-PoC and PoC support, investment reviews, and acceleration programs, to companies where collaboration potential has been confirmed even after the event.

Lee Byung-sun, CEO of the Jeju Center for Creative Economy Innovation, stated, “The Aerospace Open Ground program is establishing itself as an open innovation platform representing Jeju’s strategic industries,” adding, “We will build an ecosystem where demonstration, investment, and commercialization form a virtuous cycle so that Jeju can grow into a testbed and cooperation hub for innovative aerospace technologies.”