Ulsan Startups Boost Competitiveness via Shenzhen, Guangzhou Manufacturing Hubs

The '2025 10M Global Cross Connecting Program,' jointly operated by the Ulsan Center for Creative Economy & Innovation (UCCEI) and the Buk-gu Youth Startup Support Center, has successfully concluded, establishing a crucial stepping stone for local startups to leap onto the global stage. This program aimed to strengthen the manufacturing capabilities of local hardware startups and facilitate their entry into the world market, taking the form of a practical 'productization camp' in Shenzhen and Guangzhou, China. Participating companies received close support throughout the entire process, from idea conceptualization to prototype production and review of actual mass production possibilities, under close cooperation with 'I MakerBase,' a national-level hardware specialized accelerator in China, utilizing the local advanced manufacturing infrastructure. Four innovative companies selected through public recruitment – Neotwo, Naranga, Camdog, and Blueway Corporation – achieved valuable results by realizing their unique ideas into concrete products. Specifically, Neotwo completed the prototype design for 'SanSostand,' an AIoT-based smart oxygen generator, and signed a pilot mass production contract, putting it on track for full-scale productization. Naranga successfully discussed the PCB design for the OBD device, a core component of its AI-based battery diagnosis system, and its prototype production, laying the groundwork for future advancements in mobility technology. Camdog, which introduced camping products exclusively for pets, signed sample design and mass production contracts for 200 pet tents and over 300 camping items, bringing market launch within sight. Finally, Blueway Corporation completed the smart device manufacturing design for its 'Memory Odyssey Capsule Booth' and implemented a prototype, presenting an innovative spatial experience. Beyond simple product creation, this program provided a valuable opportunity for participating companies to directly visit China's manufacturing hubs, interact with local experts, and acquire product development know-how optimized for the global market. It is evaluated that by utilizing local manufacturing infrastructure, companies not only reduced costs but also formulated localization strategies and identified potential issues that could arise during mass production in advance, thereby further strengthening their global competitiveness. Direct communication with manufacturers also improved the technical completeness and quality of prototypes, becoming a valuable asset by providing a vivid experience of global manufacturing trends that are difficult to access domestically. Building on this successful experience, the Ulsan Center for Creative Economy & Innovation and the Buk-gu District Office plan to continue their unwavering support for local startups to grow into strong global small and medium-sized enterprises. By linking Ulsan's robust manufacturing base with China's world-class manufacturing infrastructure, they will continuously expand various international programs to enable the local startup ecosystem to stand out in the global market. The Buk-gu Youth Startup Support Center will continue to provide practical support to young entrepreneurs, including office and manufacturing space, startup education, commercialization funds, and customized consulting, playing a key role in Ulsan's emergence as a leading hub for future industries.