Mercedes-Benz to help nurture Korean startups
Mercedes-Benz and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups will team up to support the growth of Korean SMEs, through multiple launch pad programs for prospective startups to enter overseas markets and strengthen cooperation with global companies, the German carmaker said Tuesday.
Mercedes-Benz Korea, the ministry and the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced the partnership during the opening ceremony of EQ Future pavilion, a Gangnam-based showroom presenting the brand’s vision for the future of mobility.
Mercedes-Benz Korea CEO Dimitris Psillakis said the ministry and the Korean unit will hold a Connected Car Startup Hackathon in December. It will be a competition in which participants develop applications and online services based on Daimler’s in-vehicle infotainment system MBUX within 24 hours.
Along with a 200 million won research fund given to the best team, award-winning teams will be offered an opportunity to work with the
Mercedes-Benz R&D Korea Center to review the business feasibility and commercial production of its app and service.
“Mercedes-Benz has been playing the role of a bridge so that local companies across various industries with competitiveness could further grow in the global market based on their collaboration with Daimler AG,” Psillakis said.
“We will contribute to the vitalization of the ecosystem for innovative startups and consistently make efforts to create more social value by introducing various platforms to discover local startups based on our cooperation with the Korean government.”
Along with the hackathon, the ministry and Mercedes-Benz Korea will host Startup Autobahn program for the first time in Korea in 2020. It is aimed at exploring and nurturing promising future mobility startups by building a network of startups with leading companies, investors and academia and providing opportunities for continued support and investments.
“The ministry expects the two programs will play important roles in scouting and nurturing promising startups in Korea, providing them with precious assets and experience” SME and Startups Vice Minister Kim Hak-do said. “Also, we believe the programs will contribute to enhancing business ties between Korea and Germany.”
During the opening ceremony, Psillakis unveiled an artist’s impression depicting what Mercedes-Benz believes Seoul’s mobility infrastructure will look like in 2039. According to the vision, the streets of Seoul will become an eco-friendly place due to electric vehicles’ air purification technology, while various mobility tools are expected to play new roles and provide new services.