[Las Vegas (USA) = AVING News] “Collaboration between large corporations and startups will enable the ‘hyper-connected’ era to unfold more quickly in the future!”
Kim Yong-moon, director of the Korea Institute of Startup and Entrepreneurship Development, met at Eureka Park at the Venetian Expo Center in Las Vegas on the 7th (local time), emphasizing the importance of startups in the hyper-connected era that will lead the improvement of the quality of human life.
At CES 2023, about 400 domestic startups showcased their respective technologies at Eureka Park at the Venetian Expo Center, where startups from all over the world gathered and heated up. These companies played a significant role in promoting the status and potential of the overall Korean industry by winning 123 of the 2023 ‘CES 86 Innovation Awards’ won by Korean companies.
Among them, the Startup Promotion Agency, which formed the ‘K-STARTUP’ integrated pavilion with the Seoul Business Agency and the Seoul Digital Foundation and attracted 51 companies to participate in CES 2023, is an agency under the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and has provided support to numerous startup hopefuls and startup companies. This is an organization that has provided generously. It is explained that it is responsible for ‘A to Z’ of startup establishment by carrying out various activities with a budget of about 8,000 billion won last year.
In addition, through this CES, Eva, a company specializing in electric vehicle charging solutions, played a major role in receiving innovation awards in a total of three categories at CES 2, following its award in two categories last year. In addition, ‘Raonak’, founded by experts who have accumulated technology and experience over a long period of time in the door lock field, also attracted the attention of visitors by winning three innovation awards.
The background to these awards was the efforts of Director Kim Yong-moon of the Korea Startup Promotion Agency, who has always supported the birth and development of domestic startups.
On the 7th (local time), AVING News was able to meet and talk directly with Kim Yong-moon, the director of the Startup Promotion Agency, who has been working harder than others at the CES 2023 site.
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Q. Editor-in-Chief Jihoon Choi: Today marks the third day of CES 2023. What are your impressions so far?
A. Director Kim Yong-moon: I thought it was a very good opportunity. Unlike previous exhibitions, the shares of Chinese companies have decreased significantly, giving domestic companies a chance to receive more attention. In particular, about 400 Korean companies are gathered here at Eureka Park, and I feel great pride in helping Korean startups grow.
In addition, these companies swept a whopping 2023 innovation awards at CES 123, proving their technological prowess and competitiveness. Among the 106 innovation awards won by domestic small and medium-sized businesses, 86 of them were awarded to startups. This figure represents the great progress of domestic startups at this year’s CES.
Q. Editor-in-Chief Choi Ji-hoon: Please introduce the Korea Entrepreneurship Promotion Agency.
A. Director Kim Yong-moon: The Korea Startup Promotion Agency is an organization under the Ministry of SMEs and Startups that has been dedicated to supporting the establishment of startups. With a budget of approximately KRW 8,000 billion, we assist not only prospective entrepreneurs who wish to start a business, but also all stages of the startup process that require assistance. For example, it is a comprehensive support organization that supports business locations, assists with procedures for overseas expansion, and provides training for their businesses.
Q. Editor-in-Chief Choi Ji-hoon: The completeness of the institutions and systems that support promising companies, including the Korea Institute of Startup and Entrepreneurship Promotion, is evaluated as being unmatched by Korea. What are your thoughts on this assessment?
A. Director Kim Yong-moon: In fact, there are many cases where people from relevant authorities performing similar work in foreign countries are surprised when they visit the Promotion Agency. I heard from many of them that they had never seen a place in the world that supported startups in such a comprehensive and systematic manner.
Q. Editor-in-Chief Choi Ji-hoon: What kind of conversation is being exchanged among the startups gathered at the K-STRATUP integrated hall regarding the performance of each exhibition?
A. Director Kim Yong-moon: It is too early to compile and report the results of the exhibition at this point. However, I understand that by the second day, many foreign investors and local company officials had already visited and had meaningful meetings, including discussing contracts and agreements. I think I will be able to tell you some good news soon.
Q. Editor-in-Chief Jihoon Choi: I think the industry trends and information identified at this CES will be of great help in supporting domestic startups in the future. Do you have any future plans or are you already working on something related to this?
A. Director Kim Yong-moon: It appears that most global IT companies participating in CES 2023 are focusing on ‘hyper-connectivity’. Previously, it was limited to connecting devices that support IoT functions to smartphones, but recently, the focus has been on controlling each product more conveniently by connecting various devices into one ecosystem.
In the future, the scope of hyper-connectivity is expected to expand further, making connection with self-driving cars possible. If that happens, passengers will be able to comfortably enjoy a variety of entertainment in a moving car. In combination with this, we are currently working on the ‘Super Gap 5’ project, which provides support over 1000 years to big tech companies that can further improve the quality of human life.
Q. Editor-in-chief Choi Ji-hoon: I understand that the project has already achieved substantial results, including attracting collaboration between large corporations and startups.
A. Director Kim Yong-moon: That’s right. Since the development of products and technologies in such a wide range of fields is not something that only large companies can handle, the importance of startups that can take on detailed roles is increasing. That is why the Korea Institute of Startup and Entrepreneurship Development is establishing a private cooperation structure that actively promotes cooperation between large corporations and startups, and is seeking opportunities for both companies to grow.
Q. Editor-in-Chief Jihoon Choi: Due to the nature of startups that grow and emerge by always presenting new concepts, they are expected to soon become a major axis driving future technology and vision. What are your thoughts on this?
A. Director Kim Yong-moon: I think that is the reason why many visitors gather at Eureka Park, where startups of various nationalities gather. In particular, domestic startups are gaining prominence, and the Korea Institute of Startup and Entrepreneurship Development plans to continue providing generous, customized support in the future to ensure that this trend continues.
Q. Editor-in-Chief Jihoon Choi: Please say a word for domestic startups participating in CES 2023.
A. Director Kim Yong-moon: We are proud of the large companies such as Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics that have large-scale booths, but personally, we are especially proud of the fact that domestic startups that have been through hardships with us are showing off their outstanding capabilities at this CES. It’s amazing I hope you will do your best to continue that momentum.
Meanwhile, ‘CES’, the world’s largest IT exhibition, is an exhibition where you can understand the trends of the global home appliance industry at a glance. Hosted by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), it is held every January in Las Vegas, USA. AVING News, which has covered CES for 1 consecutive years, has reported CES news around the world every year since 17, and has been selected as the ‘BEST OF CES’, which selects the best innovative products and technologies, and the ‘BEST OF’, which selects domestic innovative companies. ‘MADE IN KOREA’ was held. In addition, CES on-site issues were vividly conveyed through ‘AVING LIVE’.
→ Go to the CES 2023 news special page
