The Ministry of SMEs and Startups is joining hands with HP, the global No. 1 in PCs and printing, to expand cooperation with startups in artificial intelligence (AI) and data.
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) said on the 11th that First Vice Minister Noh Yong-seok met with David McQuarrie, chief commercial officer (CCO), during a visit to HP Inc. headquarters in the United States on the 9th (local time) and discussed ways to strengthen cooperation with startups.
HP is pursuing open innovation by operating the startup incubation program "HP Garage 2.0," based on the "HP Garage" spirit from its founding in 1939. Starting this year, HP plans to participate in the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS)'s global open innovation support project, the "AroundX program," and operate the program in Korea as well. AroundX is a project in which the government and leading global corporations cooperate to support the growth of domestic startups and their expansion overseas.
At the meeting, the two sides agreed to jointly support strengthening the competitiveness and global expansion of domestic startups in AI and data science through the AroundX program. After the meeting, the Korea Institute of Startup and Entrepreneurship Development (KISED) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with HP to operate a collaboration program with global corporations. The MOU includes linking the startup ecosystem in AI and data science by utilizing both sides' startup support infrastructure and supporting domestic startups' overseas expansion.
David McQuarrie, HP's chief commercial officer, said, "Korea has a dynamic ecosystem in AI and data science," and added, "Based on HP's global network and technological capabilities, we will expand cooperation with Korean startups."
Vice Minister Noh said, "Through the AroundX 'HP Garage 2.0' program, we will provide substantial support for domestic startups to expand overseas."