Ministry of SMEs and Startups Recruiting Startups for 'Public Institution Innovation Projects'

18 Public Institutions Propose 22 Public Service Innovation Projects About 20 Startups to Be Selected and Supported in Problem-Solving Up to 100 Million Won in Commercialization Funds and Linked R&D Support

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced on September 14 that it will be recruiting startups to participate in the 'Support for Public Data Utilization' project from September 15 to October 6.

This project was designed to open data held by public institutions to startups. The aim is to identify demand for innovation in public services based on public-private collaboration, and to support the commercialization of startups through technology verification (PoC) and prototype development.

The operation is divided into two approaches: the ‘Top-Down’ method, where public institutions propose collaborative projects to startups based on open data; and the ‘Bottom-Up’ method, where startups propose projects utilizing undisclosed data from public institutions. Both methods will be promoted in parallel.

Last month, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups collected collaboration projects between public institutions and startups, and selected 22 projects from 18 organizations using the Top-Down approach.

This recruitment will select around 20 startups to solve the 22 Top-Down projects. The selected companies will receive up to 100 million won in commercialization funds for PoC, prototype development, and other activities in collaboration with public institutions.

Additionally, the ministry plans to provide connected support with other R&D initiatives such as startup growth technology development and public-private joint technology commercialization. The startup growth technology development initiative provides up to 200 million won for up to 1 year and 6 months, while public-private joint technology commercialization offers up to 600 million won for up to 2 years.

For the Bottom-Up approach, 63 startups applied. These companies are working with the ‘Enterprise Public Data Problem-Solving Support Center’ of the National Information Society Agency to secure public data. In the future, the selected companies will be provided up to 100 million won in commercialization funds, as well as support for technology development projects, just like in the Top-Down approach.

Details about the project can be found in the announcement for the recruitment of collaborative projects for 'Public Data Utilization Open Innovation' on the K-Startup website.

A representative from the Ministry of SMEs and Startups stated, "Supporting startups in utilizing public data will promote the commercialization of innovative technologies and create public services that the public can tangibly experience."

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