The Daegu Center for Creative Economy and Innovation announced on January 6 that it is recruiting resident companies for “Unicorn Lab Daegu,” located within iM Bank’s second headquarters.
The program targets technology-based companies founded within the past seven years or prospective entrepreneurs. Accelerators and venture capital firms with startup support capabilities are also eligible to apply.
Extra points will be given to startups in fintech and so-called “ABB” fields — artificial intelligence, big data and blockchain — as well as companies relocating their headquarters to Daegu.
Unicorn Lab is a startup support space on the fifth floor of iM Bank’s second headquarters. Resident companies receive dedicated mentors for scale-up roadmap development and consulting, along with regular training sessions, investor networking opportunities and collaboration with iM Bank.
Last year, 31 companies at Unicorn Lab generated 27 billion won in revenue and attracted 3 billion won in investment. They also created 83 new jobs, secured 7.7 billion won in external government support programs and won the CES Innovation Award.
Companies interested in joining can apply online through the Daegu Startup Hub (DASH) website by January 12.
“Unicorn Lab is a startup support platform that combines iM Bank’s productive finance strategy with the Daegu Center’s corporate support capabilities. Resident companies have seen meaningful increases in revenue and investment compared to before joining,” said Han In-guk, head of the Daegu Center for Creative Economy and Innovation, urging related companies to take interest.
