Full-scale bio investment, Synergy IB investment, 6th 'Tips' selection completed 

Synergy Ivy Investment, Korea's first bio-specialized TIPS operator, announced on the 19th that it had confirmed its investment in 'Neuroventi,' a technology development company for autism spectrum disorders.

As a result, Synergy IB Investment has started investing and incubating a total of six companies through TIPS this year.

'Tips' is a privately-led technology start-up support program in which a professional operator with proven childcare skills discovers promising start-ups, and then jointly invests and nurtures them with the government.

When professional operators discover startups for investment and recommend them, the Korea Angel Investment Association, a management agency designated by the Small and Medium Business Administration, conducts written and face-to-face evaluations and investment suitability reviews to determine whether these companies were reasonably selected after verification. If selected as a 'Tips' investment company, it is possible to secure investment funds of up to KRW 1 billion, as well as the benefit of being provided with childcare and mentoring from professional investors for 2 to 3 years.

Synergy Ivy Investment is a new technology finance company specializing in investment that invests in the entire life cycle of companies, including early-stage companies and listed companies.

Since being selected as the first bio-specialized TIPS operator in Korea in November 2016, it has been actively promoting various bio start-ups such as new drug candidates, improved new drugs, medical devices, health functional foods, and cosmetic materials. △ Starting with ‘Nutra Pharmtech’, a company that developed periodontal disease treatment based on natural extracts in February 2017, △ ‘Osheal’, a company that developed DDS for musculoskeletal system drugs, in March, △ ‘Youngwon Makers’, a company that developed a treatment for melasma, and △4th generation in May. It has been investing in and incubating 'Neorigen Biotech', a company that develops renewable materials, and Parmargin, a company that develops atopic cosmetics and dry food for reducing body fat. Synergy Ivy Investment is also operating an open lab where bio entrepreneurs can freely experiment at a business incubation center designated by the Small and Medium Business Administration, which it owns in Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do.

The purpose is to create an environment for open innovation among bio companies and support various possibilities.

In addition, for the purpose of commercializing products of investment companies and revitalizing their network for entering the global market, they have been actively engaged in corporate investment and incubation in various ways, such as entering into an alliance with Yozma Group, a global venture investment company.

Jeong Ahn-sik, CEO of Synergy IB Investment, said, “We will lead the way in bringing out promising technologies hidden in the bio market to the bright side and creating synergies among bio companies through technology-based open innovation.” We will continue to provide unsparing support so that startups, including T, can grow into companies that can become the center of the bio ecosystem.”

yutoo@fnnews.com Choi Young-hee, small and medium-sized business reporter