The science ministry announced on Monday that a local artificial intelligence research firm nurtured at a state-run industrial cluster has become an affiliate of a Nasdaq-listed rare earth supply chain company, effectively entering the U.S. stock market. Hanlab, an AI automation firm based at Innopolis Daedeok in the central city of Daejeon, has become a subsidiary of Evolution Metals & Technologies (EMAT) Corp., which debuted on the Nasdaq last month. This marks the first time a research institute from a state research and development cluster has advanced through the Nasdaq market.
The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on February 2, 2026, that Hanlab, an AI automation firm based at Innopolis Daedeok, a state research cluster in the central city of Daejeon, has become a subsidiary of Evolution Metals & Technologies (EMAT) Corp., which debuted on the tech-heavy Nasdaq market last month. This affiliation allows the government-backed firm to effectively enter the U.S. stock market.
"This marks the first time a research institute from a state research and development cluster has taken a step forward through the Nasdaq market," First Vice Science Minister Koo Hyuk-chae said in a release. He added, "The government will continue to identify and foster deep-tech research firms so that their technological achievements lead to startups and global market entry, helping build a virtuous cycle."
The ministry plans to sustain efforts to nurture businesses with competitive technologies, allocating 167.3 billion won ($114 million) for fostering research and development clusters in 2026, a 44 percent increase from the previous year. This development underscores South Korea's push to integrate its AI and advanced tech innovations into global markets, positioning Hanlab as a pioneering example of state-supported research achieving international reach.