KT Sets Out to Discover AI Startups… Recruiting Participants for 'K

KT is recruiting participants for 'K-PATH 2026,' an open innovation program aimed at discovering promising AI startups and expanding business cooperation. Mark & Company, an accelerator and operator of the startup data platform Innovation Forest, announced that it is accepting applications until July 12 for 'K-PATH 2026,' an AI startup incubation program co-operated with KT.

K-PATH is an open innovation program that selects AI startups capable of collaborating with KT and supports them in commercialization, proof of concept (PoC), joint R&D, and market entry. Its distinguishing feature is that it goes beyond simple support to provide opportunities for actual business cooperation and customer acquisition.

With the recent rapid growth of the AI industry, companies are focusing on securing AI solutions applicable to industrial sites rather than the technology itself. KT is also accelerating the establishment of a collaborative ecosystem with external startups to expand AI Transformation (AX) across various industrial sectors.

This program was established as part of this strategy. KT plans to select companies with high potential for collaboration in six fields: enterprise AI agents and data (Data for AI), physical AI and robotics, AI reliability and security, AI infrastructure and models, and industry-specific vertical AI.

The recruitment target is AI startups with a domestic legal entity. Prospective entrepreneurs and sole proprietors are not eligible to apply.

The strength of K-PATH is that it goes beyond simple mentoring or networking.

Selected companies can receive commercialization support funds of up to 100 million won after reviewing collaboration projects with KT, and are provided with practical business cooperation opportunities such as Proof of Concept (PoC), joint research and development, establishment of joint Go-To-Market (GTM) strategies, and customer discovery support.

In addition, networking with venture capital (VC) firms and large corporations, support for participation in domestic and international conferences, and investment linkage programs are also scheduled to be operated.

Mark & Company expects that this program will go beyond simply fostering startups and serve as an open innovation platform where KT and startups can discover new business opportunities together.

"A Mark & Company official stated, 'K-PATH is a program designed to enable technologically advanced AI startups to validate the market and expand business opportunities together with KT,' adding, 'We look forward to active participation from startups possessing AI solutions that can be practically utilized in industrial settings.'"

Meanwhile, registration for participation is available through the official K-PATH website until 4 p.m. on July 12.