Hyundai Motor Group noted that four in-house startups have spun off as of 4th. All of them were nurtured through the in-house startup program 'ZeroOne Company Builder.'
The startups that became independent this time are 'Solarstic,' which produces lightweight and design-flexible solar modules using plastic packaging; 'ROAI,' which supports automation of the manufacturing process through robot autonomous control technology; 'HVS,' which develops materials and solutions to prevent moisture and corrosion; and 'Flexon,' which manufactures eco-friendly automotive component materials.
Solarstic manufactures solar modules for vehicles and building rooftops. It reduces the cost and weight of solar modules by using plastic and produces solar modules in desired designs through plastic molding methods. ROAI supplies a robot planning solution that can program hundreds of industrial robotic arms simultaneously on manufacturing sites using artificial intelligence (AI)-based robot control technology.
HVS creates moisture-absorbent components that prevent moisture during the transportation of lamps and batteries. It utilizes its own developed new materials that excel at moisture removal. Flexon possesses technology to replace the 'wheel balance weight,' a component that balances automotive tires, with eco-friendly composite materials instead of conventional materials such as lead and fluorine compounds. It also manufactures battery explosion-proof and heat dissipation pads that effectively prevent electric vehicle battery explosions and heat spread using functional materials.
Hyundai Motor Group has been promoting the discovery and nurturing of in-house startups for employees under the name of ZeroOne Company Builder since 2021, starting with the in-house startup nurturing system 'Venture Plaza' in 2000. It selects and nurtures all business items with marketability and innovation not only in related fields of mobility, automotive components, and software but also in any area.
In-house startups with accepted ideas receive up to 300 million won in development expenses. Each startup undergoes a period of product and service development and commercialization for one year, during which the evaluation of spinning off or in-house commercialization takes place. In the case of a spin-off, Hyundai Motor Group participates in the equity of the startup through an investment of 100 million won, and additional investments are determined based on the extent of collaboration with the group thereafter. To lessen the burden on employees, opportunities for re-employment are also provided for up to three years after the spin-off.