[2026 The CEO of Catholic Kwandong University Early-Stage Startup Package] THEON, A company developing application products utilizing conductive materials

THEON, a functional materials enterprise based on conductive nanomaterials, is pioneering the development of advanced conductive materials applicable to the battery, semiconductor, and display sectors. Leveraging its proprietary highly dispersed technology for Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) and next-generation nanomaterials, THEON is a high-tech startup that develops battery primer coating solutions, conductive coating solutions, and materials for permanent ESD applications. The company was founded in September 2025 by CEO Daehwan Cho (58).

THEON’s flagship technologies encompass permanent ESD materials and functional materials for secondary batteries integrated with conductive nanomaterial high-dispersion technology. The permanent ESD materials focus heavily on mitigating static electricity challenges that arise during semiconductor, display, and battery production lines. Unlike conventional anti-static coatings that suffer from performance degradation over time, THEON’s material is engineered to maintain stable conductivity over extended periods. Concurrently, the company is developing CNT-based primer coating solutions optimized for the dry electrode manufacturing processes of next-generation secondary batteries.

CEO Daehwan Cho earned his Ph.D. in Engineering from Seoul National University, followed by a distinguished career as a Principal Researcher at Hyosung, a Postdoctoral Researcher at Cornell University, USA, the Director at Axium Battery LLC, USA, and the Head of R&D Center at Nepes. Afterward, he conducted research on next-generation energy materials as a Research Professor at Korea National University of Transportation. Having experienced diverse industrial sites, academia, and global research fronts, CEO Cho stated that he developed a profound structural problem-solving consciousness. “I recognized that for excellent core technologies to move beyond the laboratory and be actively utilized in real-world industries, the role of enterprises bridging technology with the market is paramount”, Cho noted. “Particularly in the secondary battery and nanomaterials sectors, while the pace of technological innovation is breakneck, material companies capable of commercializing these technologies remain significantly scarce.” He added, “Driven by this realization, I dedicated approximately a year to identifying business items, conducting market validation, and formulating technology commercialization strategies, which ultimately culminated in the establishment of THEON.”

THEON’s hallmark item is its permanent Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) material featuring high-dispersion technology for conductive nanomaterials. This material focuses on eliminating static electricity failures within the semiconductor, display, and battery industries. “Conventional anti-static coatings have a critical limitation where their performance degrades over time”, CEO Cho explained. “In contrast, THEON’s technology is engineered to sustain stable conductivity over long periods, enabling continuous and reliable electrostatic control. Static electricity not only damages the yield rate and quality of semiconductor and battery manufacturing processes, but it also poses a catastrophic risk factor that can trigger massive safety accidents in facilities handling gunpowder, propellants, and explosives.” Accordingly, he emphasized that the importance of electrostatic control technology is expanding exponentially in powder magazines, ammunition storage facilities, and the defense sector (K-Defense).

By developing permanent ESD materials applicable to these static-sensitive industrial environments, THEON is dedicated to elevating industrial safety and reliability. Moving forward, the company plans to expand the application of its technologies into K-Defense and other specialized industrial fields. In tandem, the company is engineering highly conductive materials that enhance the electrical connectivity between electrodes and current collectors to boost the performance of next-generation secondary batteries. Characteristically, its CNT-based primer coating solution applicable to the dry electrode process of next-generation secondary batteries enhances the adhesion and conductivity between the aluminum current collector and active materials. This effectively lowers interface resistance, thereby improving high-rate charge/discharge characteristics and cycle lifespan stability.

THEON’s market competitiveness is characterized by three core pillars. First is its proprietary conductive nanomaterial high-dispersion technology. While nanomaterials such as Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) and MXene possess exceptional electrical properties, they face a structural bottleneck where their performance cannot be fully realized due to strong cohesive forces between the materials. THEON maximizes nanomaterial performance through its in-house dispersion technology, maintaining long-term dispersion stability to secure the strict uniformity, reliability, and reproducibility demanded by clients. To further elevate dispersion performance, THEON is actively pursuing technology transfer and joint R&D projects with leading domestic experts renowned worldwide in the field of nanomaterial surface treatment. Through this framework, the company plans to drastically advance the dispersion stability and performance of next-generation conductive nanomaterials.

Second is its capability to deliver custom-tailored solutions. Looking beyond a simple materials supplier, THEON focuses intensely on providing optimal solutions tailored to the specific processes and product characteristics of its clients. Its battery primer coating solutions enhance electrode adhesion and decrease interface resistance to improve battery performance and longevity. Meanwhile, its permanent ESD materials elevate safety and reliability across static-sensitive environments, spanning semiconductor, display, and battery factories, as well as powder magazines, ammunition storage facilities, and the defense industry.

Third is its technology commercialization capability, which seamlessly connects R&D to market launch. Led by the CEO, the core workforce establishes a swift technology development framework capable of responding rapidly to customer demands, backed by extensive R&D and commercialization experience accumulated across universities, research institutions, and global corporations. To seamlessly translate THEON’s core technological strengths into stable business operations, the management and business development (Biz) sectors are continuously reinforced through specialized external advisory channels.

Date of Establishment: September 2025
Core Business: Development and commercialization of application products based on conductive nanomaterials
Key Achievements: Successfully selected for and completed the Preliminary Startup Package project, Selected for the Early Startup Package project, Selected for the Mini-Cluster/Inno-Biz R&D Validation Support Project, Awarded the Grand Prize at the Korea East-West Power (EWP) Energy Sector Startup Support Program, Officially registered as a Research-Based Startup (Research-Institute-Spinoff Company), Certified as an In-house Corporate Research and Development Center, Filed 3 core patent applications, Secured over 5 Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) with target demand corporations, Achieved approximately KRW 100 million in sample sales revenue, Completed 1 public technology transfer in 2025; currently executing 1 public technology transfer contract in 2026

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