입력 2025.07.15 15:49
Sejong University (President Eom Jong-hwa) has set a new benchmark by ranking first among Korean universities in technology transfer revenue for 2024.
The university generated $12.3 million in technology transfer income, significantly outperforming other leading institutions including Kyung Hee University ($6.9M), KAIST ($5.8M), Seoul National University ($4.6M), and Sungkyunkwan University ($3.1M). This achievement represents the second-highest figure in Korean university history, and marks extraordinary growth from just a few million dollars in 2014.
Sejong University’s achievement is the result of a long-term effort. Through the Ministry of Education and the National Research Foundation of Korea’s “BRIDGE( Beyond Research Innovation and Development for Good Enterprise)” program, the university has specialized its technology commercialization organization and established systems for discovering and advancing high-potential technologies across the full R&D cycle, as well as customized support tailored to each stage of startup growth.
This systematic approach has enabled Sejong University to enhance the maturity and marketability of its technologies by developing IP portfolios or creating prototypes, and building high-value-added business models—ultimately turning university-held technologies into solutions that meet actual industry needs.
One of the university's most notable accomplishments is generating royalty revenue through Standard Essential Patents (SEPs) in video coding. SEPs cover technical specifications established by standardization bodies, meaning anyone implementing these standards must obtain licenses. Sejong has consistently operated a "SEP Development Support Program," actively participating in standards-setting processes through technical contributions while simultaneously building relevant patent portfolios. Through this strategic approach, the university has earned hundreds of millions of dollars in royalties since 2015 via IP monetization and patent pool licensing. Sejong joined several major patent pools: MPEG-LA for HEVC (2014), Access Advance for VVC (2021), Sisvel for AV1 (2022) and VP9 (2023), and most recently, the Video Streaming patent pool operated by Avanci.
In 2024, Sejong executed three global technology transfer agreements spanning SEPs, GPU-related patents, and nuclear power plant safety software. Notably, the nuclear software represents an advanced version of the globally recognized fault tree analysis tool "FTREX (Fault Tree Reliability Evaluation eXpert)" and is projected to generate continuous royalties from nuclear industry stakeholders across the U.S., Canada, and other markets.
Sejong University's running royalty rate stands at 68%, indicating that its transferred technologies are being successfully commercialized and generating sustained revenue. Beyond the aforementioned technologies, the university also receives ongoing royalties from diverse fields including crop breeding (radish, cucumber, tomato), construction engineering (bridge repair, road cavity detection), and pharmaceuticals (antibody therapies, shingles treatment, ADCs).
Beyond technology transfer, Sejong has built a thriving startup ecosystem. The university has fostered approximately 30 faculty startups, achieving a record-breaking $16.3 million in combined investment funding in 2024.
Notably, Cubixel, led by Professor Kim Tae-geun, specializes in hologram-based semiconductor inspection equipment and secured Series B funding in 2024. The company has successfully established supply relationships with top-tier global semiconductor manufacturers and is currently preparing for an IPO.
President Eom Jong-hwa stated, "We've focused on market-driven, high-value technology commercialization that leverages our institutional strengths. This success demonstrates our commitment to translating exceptional research into societal impact and enhancing national competitiveness.“
Kwon Hyun-han, Director of Industry Academy Cooperation Foundation of Sejong University, added, "Our university also possesses world-class research capabilities in AI semiconductors, battery materials, and other cutting-edge fields. We will continue identifying breakthrough technologies that meet global market demands and pursuing high-value commercialization."