Korea Startup Forum on the 14th formally launched the "defense industry council." The council aims to build a startup-centered cooperation system to drive AI transition (AX) in the defense sector and strengthen competitiveness in the defense industry.
The inaugural co-chairs are Chief Executive Officer Yun Sung-ho of MakinaRocks, a physical AI company specializing in manufacturing and defense, and Chief Executive Officer Lee Do-kyung of BonAI, a physical AI systems company.
The launch of the council reflects the trend of rapidly growing demand to apply startups' innovative technologies to the defense sector as the government's defense industry promotion policy gains momentum. Structural changes have also played a role, with collaboration between startups and the defense industry increasing in an ecosystem that had been centered on large corporations.
According to Korea Startup Forum, since the end of last year the government and related ministries have continued to request lists of defense industry innovation corporations and sought cooperation. As consensus formed in the industry that discussions conducted at the individual corporation level needed to be systematized, Korea Startup Forum in March began full-fledged discussions on forming the defense industry council.
A total of 18 corporations joined the council, including DeepMazeAI, MakinaRocks, Morph Systems, BonAI, Viewrun Technology, Saltlux, Ellis Group, Ujuro Tech, WeFlow, Exseed Tech, Seadronix, SIA, and Twelve Labs.
The council plans to focus on policy proposals to improve regulations that hinder the growth of defense startups and to innovate the defense procurement system. It will also support startups in becoming a core pillar of the defense industry ecosystem by attracting defense-focused investment, aiding global market entry, and expanding proof-of-concept (PoC) opportunities.