ⓒ PLATUM

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups has selected 15 companies to receive the “Preliminary Unicorn Special Guarantee”.

This brings the total number of preliminary unicorns from 2019 to this year to 111, with 120 companies applying for this round, resulting in a high competition ratio of 8:1. If selected as a Preliminary Unicorn, they will receive a special guarantee of up to $15.15 million from the Korea Technology Finance Corporation (KOTEC) and advisory services for a special technology listing.

In particular, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups has established a “Global Sector” to promote global unicorn companies, supporting their entry into the global market through global IR in addition to special guarantees.

This year’s winners are once again a diverse group of innovative, high-growth companies with average revenues of $20.55 million, 162 employees, $33.03 million in investment and an enterprise value of $169.28 million.

Selected as a 2020 Baby Unicorn, GOPIZZA, a one-person pizza franchise food tech company with 32% international sales and rapid growth in international markets through AI-based cooking process automation technology, was highly rated for its potential for global success.

Mathpresso, an AI technology-based math tutoring service platform developer, has entered more than 70 countries, including Japan, Vietnam, and Thailand, providing services in seven languages, and is expected to grow into a global edtech company.

AIRS Medical, a developer of AI-based high-speed MRI image restoration solutions, has completed licensing in 10 countries, including the U.S. FDA, and is providing services, with global growth expected.