KISED Enhances Startup-Corporate Collaboration with 'Innowave Meetup'

The Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development (KISED) successfully hosted the 'Inno-Wave Meetup Day' on the 15th at TIPS Town in Seoul, as part of the 'Supergap Startup 1000+ Project.' This event was the second iteration of the 'Inno-Wave' collaboration platform, which aims to form open innovation consortia between demand companies (including large corporations, mid-sized companies, and public institutions) and supergap startups, combining the technological capabilities of innovative startups with the demand companies' verification and commercialization infrastructure. A total of 42 demand companies expressed their intention to participate at this meetup day, including 19 large corporations such as Samsung C&T and LG U+, 15 mid-sized companies such as Daewoong Pharmaceutical and Dongkuk Steel Mill, 7 public institutions such as Korea Water Resources Corporation, and 1 local government. A large number of 160 supergap startups wishing to collaborate also participated, showing keen interest with a total of 359 matchings made. Notably, among the 112 collaboration technologies proposed by demand companies, startups expressed overwhelming interest (44.6%) in the field of AI solutions and platform building, and also participated evenly in various fields such as bio-health and future mobility. Unlike the existing method of fixed task calls for proposals, this event proceeded with demand companies and startups meeting directly to jointly set collaboration tasks and form 'One-Team Consortia,' which is expected to maximize effectiveness and participant satisfaction. The collaboration intentions confirmed through this meetup day will lead to proposal submissions in August, and after presentation evaluations in September, the 10 finally selected consortia will receive comprehensive support, including up to 50 million won in collaboration funds, PoC (Proof of Concept) infrastructure support, technology verification and joint development, and follow-up commercialization linkages.