Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME) said on the 13th that it will run a program (K-battery open innovation) to identify promising small and startup corporations that will lead innovation in the battery industry with LG Energy Solution.
The call covers four areas in total: ▲ process defect detection technology ▲ real-time battery state diagnosis and prediction system ▲ next-generation process and equipment technology ▲ battery cell resistance reduction technology. LG Energy Solution presents the problems, and small corporations derive projects to solve them.
Applications are open from the 13th to June 12. After checking the announcement on the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME) website, apply via the dedicated email.
Corporations finally selected will gain an opportunity to conduct joint proof of concept (PoC) with LG Energy Solution. If commercialization potential is confirmed, discussions such as equity investment will also be considered. Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME) plans to support the growth of the selected corporations by linking policy funds and loans from leading private regional corporations.
Kim Je-young, executive vice president and CTO at LG Energy Solution, said, "Because the pace of technological competition in the battery industry is fast, collaboration with external innovation is essential," adding, "Through open innovation, we will strengthen the foundation of the battery industry with promising domestic small and startup corporations and secure leadership in the global market."
Ban Jeong-sik, regional innovation director at Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME), said, "We will help large corporations secure innovative technologies and provide small and startup corporations with commercialization opportunities," and noted, "We will continue to serve as a bridge for win-win cooperation between large and small corporations to boost regional economic vitality and build a new industry ecosystem."