Daejeon Research Spin-off Handalab Joins US Nasdaq via EMAT Merger
Creatrip Team
a month ago
Handalab, a research institute spin-off from Daejeon (Daejeon Research and Development Special Zone), has joined the Nasdaq market after merging as a strategic subsidiary of US strategic metals supply company EMAT. Founded in November 2021, Handalab develops intelligent robotic solutions and AI-based monitoring for smart factories and registered as a research institute company in 2022. The firm filed a patent for a remote robot control system using 3D point clouds and, within just over four years, became the first company from the research zone to reach Nasdaq. Handalab will keep its independent corporate status while providing AI automation technology to EMAT’s rare-metals supply platform. EM merged Handalab with three Korean magnet and alloy firms (KCM, KMMI, NS World) to form EMAT for the Nasdaq listing; the Korean partners supply rare earth metals and high-performance magnets. South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT praised the move as a new growth model for research institute companies, helping deep-tech startups scale globally from regional innovation hubs. (Daejeon Research and Development Special Zone: a government-designated area to promote commercialization of public research)
