“Starting a business felt overwhelming, but giving up was never an option.”
Geun-sik Choi, CEO of Lincsolution, began his journey in a university startup club and boldly entered the seemingly impossible 3D-printing market. His path took off in 2012 when he joined the second cohort of the Youth Startup Academy under the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME). There, he built the foundation of his business through comprehensive hands-on training in essential areas such as business fundamentals, marketing, accounting, taxation, investment, and technology.
In 2015, after transitioning to a corporation, Lincsolution received early-stage investment from the the tech university of Korea Holdings, establishing a platform for future growth. Even during the global standstill caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the company stayed true to its belief that “crisis is opportunity,” continuing to invest in research and development. As a result, it achieved KC and EC certifications, secured key strategic technologies in the materials, parts, and equipment sectors, and reached a cumulative investment amount of 22.5 billion KRW as of 2024. A decade after its founding, Lincsolution drew attention by becoming the first specialized 3D-printing company to be listed on KOSDAQ in June of this year.
Lincsolution developed the world’s largest (2.3 m) SLA 3D printer using purely domestic technology. Through its proprietary multi-laser system, curtain coater, and floating resin technology, the company achieved high precision even for large-scale outputs.
It also commercialized South Korea’s first FDM (Fused Deposition Modelling) 3D printer capable of processing PEEK—a high-performance polymer offering heat and chemical resistance—expanding its business into defense and aerospace sectors where high-performance parts are essential.
Above all, one of Lincsolution’s greatest strengths lies in its open-material platform. While most 3D-printing systems restrict users to proprietary materials, Lincsolution adopts an open architecture that accommodates diverse third-party materials. This enables industry-specific customized solutions and gives the company the flexibility to respond quickly to market demands.
This technological leadership soon translated into strong market response. Lincsolution developed a large-format SLA 3D printer for Hyundai Motor Company and demonstrated prototype-parts manufacturing capabilities for early-stage vehicles. It also participated in joint R&D with Dukyang Industrial. In September this year, the company signed an official supply agreement with Hyundai Motor for SLA equipment, further validating its technical excellence.
The company has also expanded its footprint in the defense sector, supplying equipment to the Agency for Defense Development, the Navy, the Air Force, and the Ministry of National Defense. Through the Defense Venture Program, it successfully developed a mobile 3D-printing fabrication unit, earning a commendation from the Minister of National Defense for contributing to advanced military capabilities and youth employment.
Recently, Lincsolution signed a contract with private space-launch company Unastella for manufacturing combustion-chamber components and supplied key part samples to global robotics leader Boston Dynamics—marking the company’s entry onto the global stage.
Now, it is preparing for an even greater leap. The company is building an autonomous-manufacturing-based smart 3D-printing mass-production plant in Daedeok-gu, Daejeon, scheduled for completion next year. The 10,000 m² facility will realize a fully automated “lights-out factory,” integrating robotics and artificial intelligence to automate the entire process from printing to post-processing. Once in full operation, the plant will not only enhance productivity and price competitiveness but also pave the way for exporting the automated production line itself as a “3D-printer factory export model.”
Behind Lincsolution’s growth stands the support of KOSME. In the company’s early days, KOSME’s startup-funding programs helped stabilize operations. Later, the Export Voucher Program strengthened its overseas market development and global marketing capabilities.
CEO Choi stated, “Without the support from KOSME, including the Youth Startup Academy, none of this would have been possible. We will continue to push forward and showcase the strength of Korean technology on the global stage.”
The challenge that began with the support of a startup assistance program has now become a symbol of “manufacturing innovation.” Lincsolution proves that youth entrepreneurship can become a real driving force that transforms the future of Korea’s industries.
— Lee Ho-jun, Reporter