Incheon Selects Five Innovative Startups from Big Wave Program to Accelerate Investment

Five startups have been selected to participate in the second-half 2025 program of “BiiG WAVE,” an investment attraction platform jointly established by the Incheon Center for Creative Economy & Innovation and Incheon Metropolitan City.

This program introduces companies that have validated their technology and market potential through collaboration with large corporations directly to investors — a new initiative in the local startup ecosystem.

According to the Incheon Center for Creative Economy & Innovation on the 12th, a total of 34 companies applied for this recruitment, marking a competition ratio of 7 to 1. After document review and presentation evaluations, companies with high growth potential and prior collaboration experience with large enterprises were finally selected.

This round particularly focuses on startups that have engaged in open innovation projects with major corporations such as KT, Korean Air, Hansol PNS, and Kakao Mobility.

The selected startups possess advanced technologies across bio, healthcare, AI, and deep-tech fields, including ▲ real-time pet health analysis solutions ▲ a brand research innovation platform ▲ an AI-powered aviation manual digitization solution ▲ a cloud-based machine vision inspection platform ▲ and a data-driven content curation service.

Some of these startups have already demonstrated market viability through joint service launches with major corporations.

Beginning on the 6th, the selected companies are participating in a step-by-step program including corporate diagnostics based on expert consulting, IR capability enhancement training, and an investment networking day. They will also receive opportunities for both direct and indirect investment, including funds operated by the Incheon Center.

Incheon Center CEO Han-seop Lee said, “BiiG WAVE is a representative platform connecting startups nationwide with the investment ecosystem. This second-half program is particularly meaningful as it introduces companies that have proven their technology and marketability through corporate collaborations directly to investors. The center will continue to strengthen investment support to foster the growth of innovative startups.”

BiiG WAVE, based on the 1 trillion KRW “Incheon BiiG WAVE Fund” jointly established by Incheon City and the Incheon Center, discovers startups across the country and supports their investment attraction efforts. To date, 104 companies have been selected, achieving approximately 150 billion KRW in investment performance, while expanding into private and global IR initiatives.

▲ Aplayz (CEO Bae Jeong-jin): A composite data-based spatial content curation solution
▲ DBDBLab (CEO Kang Ji-soo): A brand panel system and AI persona platform revolutionizing corporate research culture
▲ AIFORPET (CEO Heo Eun-ah): TTCARE, a real-time pet health analysis solution powered by veterinary-based AI
▲ Augmented Intelligence (CEO Cho Geun-sik): An AI-based digital innovation platform for transforming 2D legacy aviation manuals
▲ IntelliZ (CEO Na Hyun-sik): A cloud-based machine vision platform for rapid inspection of production line defects

This program provides startups — whose capabilities have already been validated through partnerships with major corporations — with direct investor exposure, offering an opportunity for rapid growth. The Incheon Center will continue supporting such innovative startups and fostering the investment ecosystem.

Incheon = Reporter Lee Chun-man lcm9504@viva100.com