Key Takeaways
• SK ecoplant has launched its fifth Tech Open Collaboration to identify and support early-stage tech startups in Korea.
• The competition focuses on AI, semiconductor engineering, and green energy solutions, with submissions open from April 14 to May 9.
• Winners will receive government funding and collaboration support from SK ecoplant and 15 partnering institutions.
• The initiative supports commercialization and R&D in eight priority sectors, including offshore wind, wastewater treatment, and chip by-products.
• The program exemplifies a broader push by SK Group to promote innovation aligned with sustainability and industrial self-reliance.
SEOUL, April 14, 2025 — South Korean engineering and construction firm SK ecoplant, a subsidiary of SK Group, has launched its fifth Tech Open Collaboration competition, calling on early-stage startups in AI, chip fabrication, and green energy to present innovative, scalable solutions for R&D partnership and investment.
Open exclusively to South Korea-based startups under seven years old, the competition reflects SK ecoplant’s long-term strategy to back technologies that align with the country’s transition toward digital and environmental transformation.
Application Details and Timeline
Startups can apply from April 14 to May 9 through SK ecoplant’s official website. Finalists will be selected for funding, collaborative research, and potential commercialization.
The initiative is backed by a consortium of 15 institutional partners, including:
• Korea Institute of Startup and Entrepreneurship Development (KISED)
• Korea International Trade Association (KITA)
• Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
• SK Securities
This cross-sectoral partnership model ensures startups gain both capital and deep-tech mentorship.
Focus Areas: Eight Innovation Categories
The competition focuses on eight strategically selected categories designed to align with South Korea’s green industrial strategy and SK Group’s infrastructure expertise.
• Chip engineering, procurement, and construction
• Semiconductor fabrication and chip by-products
• Chip wastewater treatment
• Robotics and artificial intelligence
• Wastewater management and incineration
• Carbon reduction systems
• Offshore wind energy
• Green energy for apartment complexes
These categories represent a fusion of high-impact engineering and climate-forward solutions intended to support national sustainability objectives and industrial competitiveness.
Integrated Support: More Than Just Funding
Winners of the competition will receive a comprehensive support package that includes:
• Government-funded R&D grants
• Access to SK ecoplant’s facilities and expertise for product testing
• Co-development and commercialization opportunities
• Strategic mentoring and investment pathways
This model reduces development risk for emerging technologies and creates long-term value through integration into SK’s operational infrastructure.
Alignment with National Priorities
The competition directly aligns with South Korea’s broader national policies, including the Korean New Deal and the 2050 Carbon Neutrality Roadmap.
It also supports SK Group’s push toward sustainable engineering, supply chain optimization, and energy innovation.
SK ecoplant’s current projects include smart energy infrastructure, waste conversion systems, and digital engineering—making it an ideal commercialization partner for emerging technologies.
The competition reflects a rising trend in ecosystem-based startup acceleration, where funding is integrated with technical, regulatory, and industrial support.
Experts suggest this public-private framework could serve as a replicable model for scaling deep-tech ventures in other high-barrier sectors.
Unlike traditional VC-only approaches, Tech Open Collaboration bridges the lab-to-market gap by embedding startups within real-world industrial operations early in their lifecycle.
Applications for the 2025 Tech Open Collaboration are due by May 9, 2025. Participation is limited to domestically registered startups, ensuring the investment remains aligned with South Korea’s innovation infrastructure.
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