From Hair Loss Care to Automated Urine Tests... Samsung Electronics C-Lab Starts Another Venture

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyewon] Samsung Electronics is supporting the startup launch of three outstanding projects from its in-house venture incubation program, 'C-Lab Inside.' Following five teams that became independent in May, a total of eight in-house ventures have challenged themselves to become startups this year alone.

According to Samsung Electronics on the 4th, the three startups becoming independent this time are ▲ 'Becon,' which provides personalized hair loss management solutions through artificial intelligence (AI) analysis ▲ 'Yellosis,' a home Internet of Things (IoT) urine test system that helps systematic health management ▲ and 'VibeZone,' which develops IoT devices and platforms that connect people.

It is notable that these projects, which can be utilized at home, have launched startups as the untact (contactless) culture spreads and the time spent at home increases.

Becon is a self-care solution that allows easy hair loss diagnosis and prevention at home. When the scalp is photographed with a dedicated device, it diagnoses 10 items including sensitivity, dandruff, and hair density. Additionally, AI analyzes the diagnostic results and recommends customized hair products suited to the user's scalp and hair condition, helping users manage easily at home.

Yellosis is a home IoT urine test system that helps systematic health management. The device, which is mounted on a toilet bowl, enables automatic urine testing, and analysis results such as pH, glucose, occult blood, proteinuria, and ketonuria can be checked via smartphone. The test results are cumulatively managed to monitor health status and notify users when abnormal signs occur.

VibeZone, which develops IoT devices and platforms connecting people, is also launching a startup. Its first product is a digital goods item called 'Bling' that connects stars and fans. When a star leaves a message signal on Bling, it is transmitted in real-time to the Bling owned by the fan, giving a feeling of one-on-one communication.

C-Lab Inside is an in-house venture incubation program introduced by Samsung Electronics in December 2012 to spread a creative organizational culture and discover innovative ideas from employees. The C-Lab spin-off system, first introduced in August 2015, provides founders with initial business funds and startup support funds, and offers the opportunity to rejoin the company within five years after spin-off if desired, thereby fostering a culture where employees can challenge themselves to start a business with their ideas without fear of failure.

As a result, 171 people have challenged entrepreneurship so far, establishing 48 startups, and they are actively targeting overseas markets after gaining recognition for the excellence of their products in the global market.

SALTED, a digital healthcare company that developed smart insoles and became independent from Samsung Electronics in 2015, signed a product supply contract worth 4 billion KRW with a U.S. golf equipment distribution company on the 19th of last month. It also ranked first in the golf swing trainer category during Amazon's annual discount event, 'Prime Day.'

Lululab, which develops AI beauty solutions, also succeeded in attracting new investments for business expansion. Founded with a beauty device that analyzes skin through photography, Lululab is expanding its product lineup to kiosks and smart mirrors and aims to be listed on KOSDAQ in 2023.

Han In-guk, Executive Director of Samsung Electronics' Creative Development Center, said, "We will strive to revitalize the startup ecosystem, which could be weakened by COVID-19, through C-Lab at Samsung Electronics."

Since 2018, Samsung Electronics has announced the nurturing of a total of 500 in-house and external startup projects through C-Lab, including 200 in-house employee startup projects (C-Lab Inside) and 300 external startup nurturing projects (C-Lab Outside) over five years.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.