The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced that it will publicize the 'AI regional key industry linkage project,' which aims to enhance regional key industries through collaboration between small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in regional key industries and AI startups, and secure technology validation and market access for AI startups on the 19th.
AX is a strategy to apply AI technology to various industries to enhance business models, and its market size is expanding significantly based on the potential for convergence with other industries and innovation. Additionally, the demand for AX technology from SMEs seeking to strengthen technological competitiveness is also increasing.
As a result, there is a significant demand for technology commercialization support through matching between SMEs in the industrial sector and AI startups that possess AX technology.
This project is included in the first phase of the newly established 'Micro AX' program within the 'Top 1,000 Startups Project' announced at the beginning of the year. It supports the technology commercialization of AI startups through AX collaboration with AI technology demand based on regional SMEs. AI startups that achieve excellent results through this program will have the opportunity to be linked to the top AX project, similar to the 'Micro AX' program.
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups will select a total of 10 promising AI startups through this announcement. The main collaboration tasks consist of 13 projects selected from five fields (bio-health, future mobility, smart factory, eco-friendly energy, and chemicals) based on the results of a prior demand survey conducted with SMEs in regional key industries, and they will recruit AI startups within 10 years of establishment capable of solving tasks through AX technology.
The evaluation process will proceed through document evaluations and presentation evaluations, and during the selection evaluation process, matching and consortium with regional SMEs will be pursued. Selected AI startups will receive 80 million won in collaborative technology commercialization funds and support for proof of concept (PoC) and market access for AI startups.
Startups wishing to participate in the program can apply through the K-Startup portal from June 19 to July 10 by 3 p.m.
Jo Kyung-won, director of startup policy, noted, 'Regional key industries are the core driving force of the local economy that generates employment and added value in non-capital regions, and it is essential to strengthen the technological competitiveness of regional SMEs through AX,' adding, 'The Ministry of SMEs and Startups will actively work to create mutual synergy in enhancing the products of regional SMEs and developing market access for AI startups through AX collaboration.'