NextUnicorn Selected for First-Half Demand-Based Task Program

NextUnicorn announced that 20 projects were selected in the first half of 2024 for the “Public-Private Cooperation Open Innovation Support Program (Demand-Based Track).”

The program, supported by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, aims to foster open partnerships and collaborative ecosystems between large corporations, mid-sized companies, public institutions, and startups to promote mutual growth.

The initiative consists of three categories: ▲Problem-Solving (Top-Down), ▲Voluntary Proposal (Bottom-Up), and ▲Demand-Based (On-Demand). The Demand-Based Track matches companies and startups based on specific needs to facilitate continuous and voluntary collaboration. NextUnicorn serves as the managing organization for this track.

To select the first-half projects, NextUnicorn recruited both demand companies and startups between February 14 and March 22. As a result, 38 demand companies and 250 startups applied. Through its “OI Market” platform, demand companies and startups voluntarily submitted collaboration proposals, from which 20 startups and 15 demand companies were ultimately selected to carry out 20 collaborative projects.

The 20 selected startups are: ▲Gonganui Party ▲GreenContinue ▲TheGam ▲DawsonT ▲Rumplier ▲Reasol ▲Mithril ▲BasgenBio ▲Ceres Technologies ▲Astar ▲Aplayz ▲ExCrew ▲ElforBox ▲OceanAI ▲OAP ▲OmnisLabs ▲Uridul ▲EVTago ▲JBTech I&S ▲FingerPointLab.

The 15 demand companies are: ▲Daewoong Pharmaceutical ▲Lear Korea ▲Mercedes-Benz Korea ▲Busan Port Authority ▲AJU ▲Woomi Construction ▲Kakao Mobility ▲Korea Water Resources Corporation ▲Eisai Korea ▲Korea Job World ▲Hanwha Hotels & Resorts ▲Hyundai Home Shopping ▲Hoban Construction ▲HD Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries ▲KT.

For the 20 selected projects, collaborations between demand companies and startups will take place over a five-month period starting in July 2024, with Proof-of-Concept (PoC) commercialization funding provided to help achieve successful outcomes.

The Demand-Based Track is currently accepting applications for the second half of the year from July 8 to July 29 at 4 PM. After submission and evaluation of collaboration proposals, approximately 20 projects will be selected.

Further details on the program are available on the “OI Market” website.

Reporter: Jung Jin (peng1@asiae.co.kr)

[NextUnicorn Announces Final Selection of Demand-Based Projects for First Half of 2024], Asia Economy, July 15, 2024