Hana Bank will expand financial support for young people, low-income groups and small merchants in the Incheon area and increase funding to foster future strategic industries and startups. The bank said it signed three agreements with Incheon on Aug. 14, including a co-growth pact, support for ABC+E sectors and an investment accord for an Incheon Unicorn Fund. The fund will be set up at 200 billion won to invest in local startups and growth firms.

University of Science and Technology (UST) said it signed a joint agreement with seven national research institutes to promote student startups based on public technology. The deal follows an earlier agreement with five institutes, bringing participating institutes to 12. The partners plan to build a professor-student startup model spanning technology transfer and equity contributions, and to provide mentoring, education, equipment and funding support. UST also cited rule changes and startup programs to strengthen support.