The Ministry of SMEs and Startups is fully advancing the open innovation platform ‘Everyone’s Challenge’ to support the growth of new industry startups such as AI and robotics.
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups held the ‘Everyone’s Challenge AX Launch Ceremony’ on the 1st at the Conrad Seoul in Yeouido, Seoul, and announced plans to strengthen collaboration between innovative startups in key strategic fields—including AI, robotics, defense, bio, and climate tech—and leading institutions.
‘Everyone’s Challenge’ is an open innovation program where startups, large corporations, and institutions jointly pursue technology verification (PoC) and commercialization. The Ministry of SMEs and Startups plans to promote the market entry of innovative technologies through this initiative and provide linked support for expanding sales channels.
Approximately 300 people attended the event, including Han Seong-sook, the Minister of SMEs and Startups, representatives from major corporations such as LG Electronics, Qualcomm, Naver Cloud, SK Telecom, KT Corporation, and Oracle, and AI startups.
The first challenge is focused on the AI sector and will proceed along two axes: vertical AI and large language models (LLMs). A total of around 48 startups will be selected to carry out collaborative tasks.
In the vertical AI sector, 23 tasks will be operated to apply AI to various devices such as home appliances, smart devices, and robots. LG Electronics and Qualcomm will participate. Selected startups will receive up to 100 million Korean won in technology verification funding, and high-performing companies will be provided with opportunities to enter domestic and international markets, including product integration and discovery of new business partners.
In the LLM sector, 25 tasks centered on AI solutions applicable to manufacturing, platforms, and industrial sites will be pursued. Participating startups will receive approximately 100 million Korean won in collaborative funding, followed by opportunities for commercialization linkage such as platform integration with demand companies, joint product development, and consortium participation. LG AI Research, SK Telecom, KT Corporation, Oracle, and Upstage, among others, will collaborate.
During the event, technology exhibitions by outstanding collaborative companies such as HudsonAI, Kleon, CQFiber, Farmkit, and Doaz, and presentations of excellent challenge tasks were held. Explanations of response strategies following the enforcement of the ‘Basic AI Act’ and customized consultations for startups were also conducted.
Minister Han Seong-sook stated, “I hope the startup boom that began with the ‘Everyone’s Startup Project’ will naturally extend to ‘Everyone’s Challenge,’ serving as an opportunity to drive the innovative growth of new industry startups.” She added, “In the future, we will strive to expand the startup boom through initiatives such as adding public institution open data challenges that address social issues and strengthen national competitiveness, and the ‘Startup City Project.’”
Originally written by: Park Yong-sun
Source: The Chosun Daily
Published on: 1 April 2026
Link to original article: Ministry of SMEs and Startups Launches ‘Everyone’s Challenge’ for AI, Robotics Startups
