The Ministry of SMEs and Startups will announce the 'AI Core Area and Promising AX (AI conversion) Startup Fostering Project' on the 5th for the cultivation of AI startups, it noted on the 4th. Applications are possible until the 25th.
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups will first select five promising AI startups in high-growth areas such as small language models (sLLM) and provide up to 150 million won in commercialization funds for technology advancement.
Fifteen AX startups with innovative AI technologies applicable to the products and services of demand corporations, including large, medium, and small corporations in three major sectors—manufacturing, bio, and content—will also be selected. Selected corporations will receive 80 million won in collaborative funds and support in securing new sales channels.
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups is also expected to announce the 'AI Super Gap Challenge,' a collaboration program with global corporations such as LG Electronics and Qualcomm Korea, at the end of this month.
The 'AI Regional Key Industry Connection Project,' which matches innovative AI startups with AX based on the demand for AI technology from leading local small manufacturing corporations, will be announced in April.
Oh Youngju, Minister of SMEs and Startups, said, "AI is a core area that influences not just industries but the fate of the nation, and we will continue to support the growth of AI startups in high-growth sectors."