Sejong University has set a new benchmark by ranking first among Korean universities in technology transfer revenue for 2024.
The university recorded $12.3 million in technology transfer income, surpassing other leading institutions such as Kyung Hee University ($6.9 million), KAIST ($5.8 million), Seoul National University ($4.6 million), and Sungkyunkwan University ($3.1 million). This achievement marks the second-highest figure in the history of Korean university technology transfer and reflects remarkable growth from just a few million dollars in 2014.
Sejong University’s success is the result of sustained, strategic efforts. 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 to discover and advance high-potential technologies across the entire R&D cycle. It also provides customized support tailored to each stage of startup growth.
This methodical approach has enabled Sejong University to improve the maturity and marketability of its technologies by developing intellectual property portfolios, creating prototypes, and building high-value business models—ultimately turning university-held innovations into real-world solutions that meet industry needs.
One of the university’s most noteworthy accomplishments is generating royalty revenue through Standard Essential Patents (SEPs) in video coding. SEPs are patents covering technical specifications established by standardization bodies; any entity implementing these standards must obtain licenses. Sejong has consistently operated a "SEP Development Support Program" and actively contributed to standards-setting processes through technical expertise, while simultaneously building relevant patent portfolios. This strategic approach has resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars in royalties since 2015 via IP monetization and patent pool licensing. The university has participated in several major patent pools, including MPEG-LA for HEVC (2014), Access Advance for VVC (2021), Sisvel for AV1 (2022), VP9 (2023), and most recently, the Video Streaming patent pool operated by Avanci.
In 2024, Sejong executed three major international technology transfer agreements covering SEPs, GPU-related patents, and nuclear power plant safety software. Notably, its nuclear safety software is an advanced version of the renowned "FTREX" fault tree analysis tool, expected to generate ongoing royalties from nuclear stakeholders in the U.S., Canada, and other markets.
Sejong’s royalty rate currently stands at 68%, indicating that its technologies are successfully commercialized and generating sustainable revenue streams. Beyond these, the university receives ongoing royalties from diverse fields such as crop breeding (radish, cucumber, tomato), construction engineering (bridge repair, road cavity detection), and pharmaceuticals (antibody therapies, shingles treatment, ADCs).
In addition to technology transfer, Sejong has cultivated a vibrant startup ecosystem. The university has supported approximately 30 faculty-led startups, which secured a combined $16.3 million in investment funding in 2024.
Among these, Cubixel, led by Professor Kim Tae-geun, specializes in hologram-based semiconductor inspection equipment and secured Series B funding in 2024. The company has established supply relationships with top-tier global semiconductor manufacturers and is preparing for an IPO.
President Eom Jong-hwa expressed, "Our focus on market-driven, high-value technology commercialization leveraging institutional strengths has brought these successes. This demonstrates our commitment to translating outstanding research into societal impact and boosting national competitiveness."
Kwon Hyun-han, Director of the Industry-Academia Cooperation Foundation at 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 pursue high-value commercialization.”
