Ulsan Center Shipbuilding & Marine Technology Contest: 8 Teams Awarded, Including Dogwood AI

The '2025 Smart Shipbuilding and Ocean Technology Competition,' which sought technologies to lead innovation in the future shipbuilding and ocean industry, successfully concluded. Ulsan Center for Creative Economy & Innovation (UCCEI), which has hosted this event for 11 years since 2015 in partnership with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, ultimately selected 8 teams that demonstrated outstanding capabilities in eco-friendly vessels, smart manufacturing and production, and industrial safety sectors at an awards ceremony on the 8th. The best innovative technologies were chosen after a rigorous evaluation amidst fierce competition from 52 aspiring entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized venture companies gathered from across the country. The honorable award-winning teams and their key technologies from this competition are as follows: * **Dogwood AI Co., Ltd. (CEO Lee Chang-ha):** Integrated AI solution for ship CO2 capture and liquefaction processes * **Daehyeop Tech (CEO Choi Hyung-seok):** Development of Engine Room Insulation Spray * **RMaterials (CEO Kim Young-kwang):** Ultra-lightweight flame-retardant material technology for manufacturing process efficiency and safety enhancement * **Hong’s Works (CEO Jeong Ji-hong):** Recirculating hydrogen supply device for high-efficiency hydrogen fuel cell systems * **SLM (CEO Park Young-jun):** Grooming Robot for cleaning ship hulls without damaging the coating * **HHS (CEO Han Hyeong-seop):** Biosignal processing-based safety management system * **Dain Safety Industrial (CEO Jeong Woo-don):** Development of an electric lifting ladder for slopes * **Deep Insight (CEO Oh Eun-song):** Lidar-based production performance input terminal to support digital transformation for small and medium-sized shipbuilding partners Based on their rich experience of discovering and fostering over 80 promising companies in various innovation sectors such as DX/AI, automation equipment, industrial robots, and production/safety technologies over the past decade, UCCEI and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries have pledged full support to the 8 newly selected teams. In addition to prize money, the winning companies will receive PoC (Proof of Concept) funding to validate their technologies in actual shipbuilding production sites. Furthermore, through cooperation with the Korea Institute of Marine Science & Technology Promotion (KIMST) under the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, customized support for the rapid growth (Scale-up) of these companies, including investment linkage and networking, will be provided. This goes beyond the simple meaning of a technology competition; it is a significant investment to secure the sustainable future competitiveness of South Korea's shipbuilding and ocean industry and to revitalize the eco-friendly and smart manufacturing technology ecosystem. From 2025, the plan is to actively participate in fostering companies related to materials, parts, and equipment through programs like the Ministry of SMEs and Startups' Deep Tech Value-up program, thereby leading technological innovation in the future shipbuilding and ocean industry.