● The second contest selected winners from would-be startups to SMEs with an aim to strengthen the ecosystem of the materials industry by helping grow companies.

● In 2017, the open platform _ base_d on new material technology with the _ object_ives of fast commercialization of ventures and enhancing the competitiveness of SMEs.

SKC (CEO Lee Wan-jae) has selected 10 materials companies for its new material technology contest the “2nd SKC Startup Plus” to provide support. SKC Startup Plus is a program aimed at supporting companies with promising technologies and establishing a healthy industrial ecosystem with its tangible and intangible resources including R&D know-how.

On April 25 at the head office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, SKC held the “2nd SKC Startup Plus Workshop” where it delivered a support fund of KRW 100 million to the selected companies and explained support details. At the event, 10 CEOs of the selected companies along with SKC CEO Lee Wan-jae, President Choi Hee-yoon of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI), Director Kwon Young-hae of the Ulsan Center for Creative Economy & Innovation, Lead Partner Kim Yoo-seok of Deloitte Startup Advisory Group, Manager Park In-sun of Key Industry MD Support Team at the Office of Strategic R&D Planning (OSP) shared their commitment to collaboration.

The selected companies are ▲ Quantum Cat (CEO Kang Shin-hyeon) ▲ Halk (CEO Kim Tae-ho) ▲ Urban Miner (CEO Na Yong-hoon) ▲ YNG (CEO Song Ho-young) ▲ Orion NES (CEO Yoo Seong-jae) ▲ J Micro (CEO Lee Jung-woo) ▲ DS Lab (CEO Cho Deok-su) ▲ A-Run (CEO Oh Soon-bong) ▲ TEGway (CEO Lee Kyung-su) ▲ NPAC (CEO Cho Seong-yoon). They range from would-be startups and startups to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in business areas including heating materials for electric vehicles, display materials, and semiconductor process materials.

These companies will be provided with a variety of tangible and intangible infrastructures. SKC will provide funds for commercialization and share its R&D and management know-how as a materials company with 40 years of experience. The Ulsan Center for Creative Economy & Innovation will offer training on patent and investment required for business operations.

From this year, professional organizations will provide enhanced support. KISTI will help SMEs commercialize their business ideas and upgrade their research and planning capabilities. OSP will provide policy training and improve related systems. Deloitte Anjin will offer accounting and tax-related management consulting to such companies as well as review investment support in association with investment institutions by utilizing its global network.

SKC CEO Lee Wan-jae said, “In order to gain a competitive edge in today’s rapidly changing world, what’s most important is an industrial ecosystem where large companies, small and medium-sized enterprises, and ventures cooperate in harmony. We will give our utmost support to accomplish the _ object_ives of our platform—‘successful commercialization of venture firms’ and ‘strengthening the fundamenntal competitiveness of SMEs.’”

In 2017, SKC established the “open platform _ base_d on new material technology” together with the Ulsan Center for Creative Economy & Innovation, Ulsan Technopark, and others, and held the first contest last year. In February of this year, SKC formed a support system for SMEs with OSP, KISTI, and accounting firm Deloitte Anjin. In April, SKC expanded the “open platform _ base_d on new material technology” to benefit SMEs in the local community in an effort to raise social values. [End]

[Photo de_ script_ion: On April 25, SKC CEO Lee Wan-jae (third from right on the first row), 10 CEOs of the selected companies, KISTI President Choi Hee-yoon (fourth from right), Director Kwon Young-hae of the Ulsan Center for Creative Economy & Innovation (fifth from right), and Lead Partner Kim Yoo-seok of Deloitte Startup Advisory Group (first from left) shared their commitment to collaboration.]