Korean e-mobility alliance launches startup competition

Hyundai, Kia and LG Chem have launched a start-up competition to identify promising newcomers in the field of e-mobility. The ‘EV & Battery Challenge’ calls domestic and foreign start-ups developing technologies and business models for EVs and batteries.

They can apply from 22 June to 28 August via a website set up especially for the competition. The submitted documents will be examined in a first round, and the most promising candidates will be interviewed personally via video conference in October.

The final selection is to meet in November at a workshop in Silicon Valley, more precisely at Hyundai CRADLE, the Hyundai Motor Group’s ‘Open Innovation Hub’ there. After that, Hyundai, Kia and LG Chem will verify the technologies and review their strategic investments. In other words, the direct financial investment is possible.

There are seven categories: Next-generation battery materials to increase mileage and safety, recycling of battery materials, control systems to increase battery efficiency, process technology to increase productivity and quality control, EV drive units, personalization services for electric cars, and BEV’s charging and energy management.

koreaittimes.com, insideevs.com, hmgjournal.com (announcement in Korean), evbatterychallenge.com (registration page)