LG Energy Solution Launches K-Battery Open Innovation Program to Recruit SMEs and Startups

Call for Applications in Four Key Areas: Process, Diagnosis, and Next-Generation Equipment

Collaboration with the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency

Opportunities for Technology Verification and Equity Investment

"Strengthening the K-Battery Ecosystem Through Open Innovation"

On May 13, LG Energy Solution announced that it is launching the "K-Battery Ecosystem Enhancement Open Innovation" program in collaboration with the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency, and is recruiting participating companies.

This call for applications targets four fields: ▲process defect detection technology, ▲real-time battery condition diagnosis and prediction systems, ▲next-generation process and equipment technologies, and ▲battery cell resistance reduction technology.

Selected companies will be given the opportunity to jointly conduct business with LG Energy Solution, including proof of concept (PoC) technology verification and equity investment. Policy support programs such as the Chairman’s Commendation from the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency and "regional leading company loan matching" are also planned to be linked.

The two organizations plan to use this collaboration to connect the technology needs of large corporations with the innovative solutions of small and medium-sized enterprises, and to establish a win-win model for the battery industry based on public-private cooperation.

Ban Jeongsik, Director of Regional Innovation at the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency, said, "The key to this program is to provide large corporations with access to innovative technologies, while offering SMEs and startups practical commercialization opportunities," adding, "We will continue to serve as a bridge for mutually beneficial cooperation between large and small companies, contributing to the revitalization of regional economies and emerging industry ecosystems."

Kim Jeyoung, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of LG Energy Solution, stated, "As the pace of technological competition in the battery industry is extremely fast, collaboration with external innovators is essential," and added, "Through cooperation with promising domestic SMEs and startups, we will strengthen the foundation of Korea’s battery industry and strive to secure leadership in the global market."

LG Energy Solution is working to expand the battery industry ecosystem and enhance technological competitiveness by operating the OSS (Open Submission for Start-up) program for global startups and the BIC (Battery Innovation Contest) program for domestic and international universities and research institutes.