According to its press release on Thursday, the ministry surveyed 397 firms that participated in the program, drawing responses from 290 companies. Combined headcount at the end of 2025 reached 10,221 employees, up 450 from the prior year, with about 65 percent of respondents reporting increase in hiring.
Total revenue of the firms rose about 8.1 percent year on year to 1.86 trillion won($1.26 billion), outpacing the 6.7 percent average growth rate recorded by KOSDAQ-listed companies over the same period.
Investment raised by participating firms surged 53.9 percent to 875.1 billion won, while patent applications climbed 12.8 percent to 4,106 filings.
The K-Global Project, launched as an umbrella brand for the ministry's AI and digital support programs, has produced several high-profile success stories. Chipmakers Rebellions and Furiosa AI, both alumni of the program, have since reached unicorn status, while AI medical-imaging firm Vuno and AI compression specialist Nota AI have completed KOSDAQ listings.
"AI and digital startups are emerging as the central drivers of industrial innovation, and the companies introduced today are prime examples of that," said Park Tae-wan, Director General of the ICT Industry Policy at the ministry.
Park added that the government would refine the program based on industry feedback and work to ensure Korean firms can compete in global markets.
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