KITA Held Hoban Group-Startup Open Innovation

- Discussed collaboration measures between startups and large companies for smart city construction urban renewal eco-friendly -

The Korea International Trade Association (chairman, Kim Young-joo) and Hoban Group held Open Innovation event at COEX Startup Branch on July 23^rd.

The event was held under the title of ‘Start up with Us, Bridge the Gap in Space’ and over 30 executives and employees from Hoban Group and companies such as Plan H Ventures that discover and foster startups using funds from Hoban Group, KECC, and Space Architecture attended the event along with 10 startups that provide innovative solutions.

The participating startups showed smart city-related innovations such as building energy saving, safety checks combining drones with artificial intelligence (AI), facilities for the socially vulnerable and indoor air quality improvement. Hoban Group discussed a variety of cooperation measures such as joint research and development, investment, and technology alliances that can be collaborated with the startups.

Lee Dong-ki, head of Innovation and Startup Group of the Korea International Trade Association, said, “It is difficult to secure global competitiveness when large companies and startups make separate effort.” He added, “The Korea International Trade Association will support to seek solutions for win-win growth through Open Innovation between large and medium-sized enterprises and startups.”

Hoban group is an enterprise with 9 trillion won in assets. Its business started with housing construction and has expanded into various fields including construction, contents, distribution, and leisure. Plan H Ventures, funded and founded by Hoban Construction, is establishing partnerships with technology-based startups to build smart cities and provide infrastructure for shared space. It also carries out activities to discover startups and education.