Korean startups backed by Hyundai Motor take world stage at CES 2024

The companies are under the wing of Hyundai Motor’s open innovation platform dubbed “ZER01NE,” which is aimed at fostering the growth of promising startups and providing gateways for them to expand into the global market.

A ZER01NE pavilion is installed at CES 2024,supported by Hyundai Motor Group. [HYUNDAI MOTOR]

Eleven Korean startups from diverse fields such as automatic music curation, biodegradable plastics and reusable batteries were introduced to the world at CES 2024 through the support of Hyundai Motor Group.

The companies are under the wing of Hyundai Motor’s open innovation platform dubbed “ZER01NE,” which is aimed at fostering the growth of promising startups and providing gateways for them to expand into the global market.

It’s the second consecutive year for ZER01NE to set up its pavilion at the global trade show.

This year’s startups backed by ZER01NE are Green Whale Global, Artwa, Deep.fine, Pebblous, Koop Technologies, Aplayz, Mobinn, Datamond and Poen. Two H-OnDream startups, Day1Lab and Cosmos Lab, also made it to the booth and are funded by the Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-Koo Foundation.

Of the 11, Green Whale Global, Mobinn, Poen and Day1lab are Innovation Award winners.

Green Whale Global manufactures biodegradable plastic materials and products such as cosmetic containers, 3-D printer filaments and plastic components for home appliances and automobiles.

Mobinn is a robotic startup that utilizes autonomous driving technologies for last-mile delivery.

Poen is an energy solutions provider that repurposes electronic vehicle batteries to be used in energy storage systems or automotive components.

Day1lab manufactures a material known as “Retarch,” a biodegradable starch-based plastic alternative.

“We’ve focused on discovering potential startups through our program,” a ZER01NE spokesperson said. “We hope participation at CES 2024 can provide startups with opportunities to enter the global market.”

BY LEE JAE-LIM [lee.jaelim@joongang.co.kr]