Cigo Co., Ltd., led by CEO Joonghoon Shin, was founded in 2022 as a specialized research and development company. In February 2025, the company acquired nanofiber technology from the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) and successfully commercialized the technology. Although nanofiber technology was first developed more than 80 years ago, its commercialization has been limited due to the difficulty of producing large-area nanofiber media with consistent quality through a continuous manufacturing process. As a result, its application has largely been confined to high-value products such as medical and industrial equipment. Cigo aims to make clean air and clean water accessible in everyday life through advanced nanofiber technology. Beginning with air purifiers and automotive cabin air filters, the company is establishing a new standard for the filtration industry. Cigo's core business focuses on non-electrostatic air filtration media based on real nanofibers with diameters below 100 nanometers. These filtration solutions are designed for a wide range of applications, including air purifiers, air conditioners, natural ventilation systems, heat recovery ventilators (HRVs), automotive cabin air filters, and face masks. Conventional electrostatic filters tend to lose filtration efficiency rapidly when exposed to moisture and oil in real-world environments, making it difficult to maintain their rated performance throughout their service life. In contrast, Cigo's real nanofiber-based non-electrostatic filters capture particles through a physical filtration mechanism, enabling stable and consistent filtration performance even under humid or oily conditions. Cigo has already obtained European E12-grade test results for its automotive cabin air filter after eliminating electrostatic effects, and the company is accelerating preparations for commercial product launch. High-efficiency filters are often associated with higher pressure drop, which can reduce airflow and cooling performance. However, Cigo has significantly improved filtration efficiency while maintaining a pressure drop comparable to that of conventional filters. When exposed to rain or humid conditions, conventional electrostatic filters lose their electrostatic charge, resulting in a substantial decline in fine particle filtration performance. In contrast, Cigo's real nanofiber filters rely on a physical filtration mechanism rather than electrostatic attraction, enabling them to maintain consistent filtration performance throughout their service life—even in environments containing moisture or oil. At first glance, the difference between 95% and 99.83% filtration efficiency may appear to be only 4.83 percentage points. In practice, however, the difference is far greater. Out of every 100 airborne particles, a conventional 95% efficient filter allows approximately five particles to pass through, whereas Cigo's real nanofiber filter allows only about 0.2 particles to penetrate—delivering up to 25 times greater particle-blocking performance. Considering that conventional electrostatic filters experience rapid performance degradation after approximately 10,000 km or six months of vehicle operation, the performance gap at the end of the replacement cycle can exceed 100 times. Cigo has also developed its own proprietary nanofiber manufacturing equipment, enabling production at a significantly lower cost than conventional nanofiber technologies. This technological advantage is expected to accelerate the widespread adoption of non-electrostatic nanofiber filtration solutions. The company's filtration media has already been selected for export models of air purifier filters manufactured by a major global electronics company, and Cigo is preparing to launch automotive cabin air filters as well as cooking and industrial respirator masks. To validate filtration performance in environments containing oil aerosols, Cigo is pursuing certification under the U.S. P95 respirator standard. Cooking fumes are recognized as a significant contributor to lung disease, particularly among women, yet practical protective solutions remain limited. Existing P95 respirators are often expensive and uncomfortable to wear for extended periods, reducing their suitability for everyday workplace use. Leveraging the superior resistance of its real nanofiber technology to moisture and oil aerosols, Cigo plans to introduce P95-level cooking masks that provide effective respiratory protection while improving wearer comfort. Although mask use has become mandatory in food manufacturing environments, current products primarily address food hygiene requirements rather than protecting workers from harmful cooking fumes, which are increasingly recognized as an occupational health hazard. Beyond air filtration, Cigo is expanding its technology portfolio into water filtration, with the goal of delivering advanced nanofiber filtration solutions for both clean air and clean water. CEO Joonghoon Shin stated, "In the global air and water filtration market, which has long been dominated by multinational corporations, Cigo is pursuing the ambitious goal of becoming a world-leading manufacturer of advanced filtration media. Through superior technology, outstanding performance, and cost competitiveness, we aim not only to replace imported products but also to establish ourselves as a global leader in filtration materials." He continued, "Competing with global industry leaders is undoubtedly challenging. However, our confidence in our technology and our team's capabilities has enabled us to successfully develop innovative products, and we are now expanding Cigo's presence and recognition in the global market." Shin also noted, "Last year, we completed the performance testing and Proof of Concept (PoC) required for entry into the U.S. market, and we are currently preparing to fulfill our first export orders. We hope Korea will continue adopting filtration standards equivalent to those of the United States and Europe, enabling cleaner air, cleaner water, and a healthier quality of life for everyone." He added, "With this vision, we plan to improve indoor air quality in daycare centers and schools by deploying integrated solutions that combine air purifiers, natural ventilation window systems, and heat recovery ventilators (HRVs). Through these efforts, we aim to create healthier indoor environments for future generations." The Startup Package Program is a government-supported initiative designed to identify and foster promising early-stage startups across Korea. The program provides comprehensive support at each stage of business growth, including commercialization funding, tailored mentoring and consulting, investment opportunities, and networking programs. Through this initiative, participating companies have achieved measurable results, including product advancement, revenue growth, and enhanced readiness for investment, while building a strong foundation for sustainable long-term growth. The Gwangju Center for Creative Economy & Innovation (GCCEI) serves as a key regional hub for strategically operating the Startup Package Program and supporting the growth of local startups. By providing customized programs tailored to each company's stage of development, along with a comprehensive support system, GCCEI continues to foster outstanding success stories and plays a leading role in strengthening the regional startup ecosystem and driving innovation.
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