Jeonbuk National University (JBNU)'s technology start‑up ㈜시지트로닉스, which began in a JBNU laboratory, has become a KOSDAQ‑listed company with a market capitalization of KRW 23.8 billion. Founded on laboratory technology owned by Professor Shim Gyu‑hwan of JBNU, the company is a representative case showing how excellent university technology can be translated into industry and contribute to the regional economy.

In this way, university industry–university cooperation serves as the catalyst that converts the university's excellent achievements into value that contributes to the regional economy. JBNU Industry‑University Cooperation (Vice‑President Son Jeong‑min) is fulfilling that role. As the core institution overseeing regional innovation—from research and development and technology commercialization to start‑ups and corporate support—it is moving the regional economy in substantive ways beyond the university.

JBNU Industry‑University Cooperation's research funding alone amounted to KRW 251.8 billion last year. Of this, local government matching funds were KRW 13.74 billion (Jeollabuk Province KRW 9.12 billion; Jeonju City KRW 4.62 billion), but spending in the region during the R&D execution process was estimated at approximately KRW 40.1 billion. That means roughly three times the size of the local matching funds is being returned to the region.

The human structure of the Industry‑University Cooperation also clearly demonstrates the regional economic ripple effect. Of the 1,113 staff and researchers affiliated with the Industry‑University Cooperation, 90.9% reside in Jeonbuk, and their estimated annual expenditures that return to the region through daily life and consumption are about KRW 100 billion. This shows that the economic impact the university sows in the region is by no means small.

JBNU Industry‑University Cooperation is achieving top‑level results in securing research contracts within the province. Last year it won 1,633 research projects from the government, local governments, and companies. Operating 67 project groups as subordinate organizations, it also secured a total of KRW 66.9 billion in project funds. Based on this, support for regional companies' equipment, workforce training, and technology advancement is proceeding in a tightly connected manner. It also operates six contract‑based departments that train industry‑tailored professionals; to date they have produced 46 graduates, and local government support has reached KRW 2.6 billion.

Faculty and student start‑ups are also active. JBNU has produced 53 faculty start‑up companies based on faculty‑developed technologies; these companies' combined annual sales total KRW 22.6 billion. In particular, among advanced venture companies leading new industries in the manufacturing‑based Jeonbuk region, 45 were established in Jeonju alone, creating over 250 jobs. Student start‑ups have also been active: 56 companies were founded over the past four years, reporting sales of KRW 250 million and attracting external investment of KRW 515 million.

In technology commercialization, it recorded KRW 1.53 billion in technology transfer revenue this year alone. The Center of Technology Business has established an end‑to‑end technology transfer system—including IP‑R&D strategy formulation, securing core patents, and technology valuation—and is driving companies' new product development and market expansion.

The technology holding company has contributed university patents to establish 17 subsidiaries, 16 of which are based in Jeonju. These companies' total sales amount to KRW 4.41 billion, contributing to the formation of a regional new‑industry base. The university start‑up fund's cumulative investment has also reached KRW 5.81 billion, strengthening a virtuous investment cycle for regional company growth.

JBNU Industry‑University Cooperation's corporate support cases are also clear. NRB Co., Ltd., which received focused support from the Startup Support Center, was listed on KOSDAQ in July 2025, and regional companies such as Medi & Research and Jumidang succeeded in global expansion by signing contracts worth USD 2 million with overseas partners, including Vietnam.

Son Jeong‑min, Vice‑President of Industry‑University Cooperation at JBNU, said, "JBNU Industry‑University Cooperation has established itself as an 'invisible conglomerate' that drives the regional economy overall—through KRW 251.8 billion in research funding, approximately KRW 100 billion in annual regional consumption returns, 1,113 employed personnel, the creation, investment and technical support of regional companies, and the nurturing of new industry companies." He added, "We will take the lead in strengthening Jeonbuk's economic structure by actively integrating the university's outstanding research, technology, and human resources into regional industries to promote the growth of local companies and the creation of new industries."