SEOUL/LAS VEGAS, January 10, 2024 – In a significant move to foster technological innovation, Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation announced that their creative talent platform, ZER01NE, will showcase 11 transformative startups at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024, held from January 9–12 in Las Vegas.
ZER01NE, a key component of Hyundai Motor Group’s strategy to collaborate with emerging companies, aims to drive technological breakthroughs. The platform, operational since 2018 under ZER01NE VENTURES, is dedicated to accelerating the growth of promising startups, including nurturing internal ventures for potential corporate spin-offs.
This year’s CES, held at the Venetian Expo, Hall G, Eureka Park, will mark ZER01NE’s expanded presence for the second consecutive year. The platform will exhibit a range of innovative products from 11 startups. These include advancements in biodegradable plastic polymers and revolutionary water-based batteries, reflecting Hyundai and Kia’s commitment to going beyond the automotive industry in their pursuit of next-generation technologies.
Dr. Yunseong Hwang, Vice President and Head of the Open Innovation Execution Group at Hyundai Motor Group, highlighted the initiative’s role in discovering and accelerating development of groundbreaking solutions that could benefit humanity.
Among the startups to be showcased are Green Whale Global, ARTWA, and DEEP.FINE, along with in-house nurtured startups like APLAYZ and MOBINN. The lineup also includes winners of the Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-Koo Foundation’s H-OnDream startup incubation program, DAY1LAB, and COSMOS Lab.
ZER01NE VENTURES, through its Company Builder in-house venture program, has also been instrumental in fostering employee-led innovation, successfully launching 36 startups since its inception.
By participating in CES 2024, ZER01NE not only aims to augment its global startup network but also seeks to create new collaboration and investment opportunities. This initiative is a testament to Hyundai and Kia’s dedication to strengthening their open innovation efforts and contributing significantly to the global startup ecosystem.
