□ DGIST (President Kunwoo Lee) announced that DGIST Technology Holdings appointed Moon Jong Choi, former head of the Daegu Center for Creative Economy and Innovation, as its new co-CEO on the 10th. The appointment is expected to help relaunch efforts to revitalize the regional startup ecosystem.
□ Established in late 2022, DGIST Technology Holdings was created to overcome the limitations of fragmented and one-off technology transfer practices traditionally associated with universities and to provide continuous support for the full life-cycle growth of companies. The organization aims to build a “virtuous cycle model for university–industry collaboration,” in which revenues generated through the commercialization of the university’s outstanding research outcomes are reinvested into R&D. In particular, it has focused on identifying ultra-early-stage and early-stage investment opportunities in venture businesses and laboratories.
□ The newly appointed co-CEO Moon Jong Choi is a “technology business specialist” who has helped lay the foundation of the regional startup ecosystem through his roles as a professor at Sun Moon University and as head of the Daegu Center for Creative Economy and Innovation. In recognition of his field-oriented support for venture companies, he received a Commendation from the Minister of SMEs and Startups in 2021, and has also demonstrated academic expertise through publications such as the book Understanding Technology Entrepreneurship (2022). With extensive practical experience and a strong public–private network, he is regarded as well positioned to expand the scope and influence of DGIST Technology Holdings.
□ Through this appointment, DGIST Technology Holdings will transition from the previous single-CEO structure led by JaeHyung Koo (Dean of Research and University–Industry Collaboration at DGIST) to a co-CEO system. The arrangement is expected to generate strong complementary synergy, with CEO Koo focusing on technology discovery and strengthening strategic foundations based on his deep familiarity with internal operations, while CEO Choi will take charge of investment attraction and external networking as a field expert.
□ “I will faithfully serve as a bridge to ensure that the world-class deep tech assets held by DGIST move beyond the laboratory and generate real impact in the market,” stated Moon Jong Choi, the newly appointed co-CEO. “Going forward, we will actively establish investment funds and play a leading role in revitalizing the startup ecosystem in the Daegu–Gyeongbuk region.”
□ “With the appointment of CEO Choi, DGIST Technology Holdings has gained a powerful new driver for connecting innovative technologies from the research field with industry,” said DGIST President Kunwoo Lee. “We will provide full support to ensure that his leadership helps revitalize the regional economy and foster portfolio companies with global competitiveness.”
□ Going forward, DGIST Technology Holdings plans to pursue a comprehensive set of initiatives, such as 1) establishing and operating aggressive investment funds; 2) accelerating the establishment of portfolio companies based on promising technologies; and 3) strengthening tailored acceleration programs.
