SK Ecoplant announced on July 4 that it held the ‘Tech Open Collaboration’ awards ceremony at the Grand Walkerhill Seoul in Gwangjin District, Seoul. This event marks the fifth edition of the initiative aimed at fostering open innovation by collaborating with cutting-edge startups in the semiconductor and AI sectors.

Launched in 2021, the Tech Open Collaboration is an innovation contest organized by SK Ecoplant to discover startups with breakthrough technologies. The competition aims to identify pioneering firms in semiconductor and AI fields, support their technological advancement, and facilitate commercialization through comprehensive cooperation, thereby strengthening their growth and competitiveness.

The event was attended by various organizations involved in the contest, including the Startup Promotion Agency, Innovation Cluster Foundation, Korea International Trade Association, Korea Electronics Technology Institute, KAIST, Hoseo University, Hannam University, SK Securities, and Korea Science and Technology Holdings. These partners participated in managing the competition and are engaged in joint research and development with the award-winning startups.

During the ceremony, seven startups were recognized for their innovative technologies:

• EnHighlyTech Co., Ltd. (semiconductor water reuse and process wastewater treatment)
• QuantumCat Co., Ltd. (gas reduction catalysts using nanostructure control technology)
• Mobillyo Co., Ltd. (construction quality improvement using quadruped robots)
• LK Robotics Co., Ltd. (AI-based robot system linked with CCTV)
• AIT Tech Co., Ltd. (smart recovery solutions utilizing AI and robotics)
• Vinding Co., Ltd. (building-integrated photovoltaics for urban solar power)
• Inkle Co., Ltd. (real-time shape measurement system for structural steel JCO process)

These startups demonstrated exceptional capabilities in semiconductor and AI technologies and were selected as the final winners.

The awarded companies will receive various supports aimed at strengthening their technological competitiveness and business growth. SK Ecoplant and its subsidiaries will collaborate on joint R&D projects, and after technological refinement, work together on commercialization efforts. Additional support from public, research, and investment institutions includes government funding and investment attraction.

Furthermore, SK Ecoplant continues to promote sustainable industrial growth by fostering co-growth with small and medium-sized enterprises and startups. It actively builds and operates open innovation platforms in partnership with government agencies, public institutions, and investors.

Kim Hyung-geun, President of SK Ecoplant, commented, “We look forward to the synergies created through collaboration with the startups discovered through this contest,” adding, “We will continue to foster a sustainable industrial ecosystem through ongoing cooperation with startups and SMEs.”

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