A competition to discover promising startups across the country in eight advanced IT fields, including AI, digital health, mobility, and robotics, will be held.

Samsung Electronics recently announced that it will hold the 'C-Lab Outside' contest from the 17th of this month to the 18th of next month to discover and nurture innovative startups and contribute to the revitalization of the domestic startup ecosystem.

This competition, the 6th of its kind, plans to discover promising startups nationwide by holding it simultaneously in four C-Lab Outside regions: Seoul, Daegu, Gyeongbuk, and Gwangju for the first time.

Any startup registered as a corporation in Korea at the Series B or lower investment stage can apply through the 'Samsung C-Lab website,' and this competition is recruiting startups with next-generation innovative technologies in eight fields: AI, Content & Services, Digital Health, IoT Devices, Mobility, Robotics, Materials & Components, and ESG.

In particular, starting this year, the existing eligibility criteria, which were limited to companies established within the last five years, have been expanded to include startups at the Series B investment stage or lower, supporting not only early-stage startups but also those in the stage of full-scale business expansion. We also made it possible for startups that have already entered to receive support.

The recruitment fields were selected to reflect global technology trends and technologies capable of leading positive social change; this year, the materials and components sector was added, and the detailed recruitment areas for AI and digital health were expanded.

■ Providing opportunities for business linkage and investment attraction, such as pilot services within Samsung Electronics business sites
Samsung Electronics established the C-Lab Triangle Belt by successively launching C-Lab Outside in Gwangju, Daegu, and Gyeongbuk earlier this year, taking the lead in fostering local startup ecosystems, revitalizing regional economies, and creating high-quality jobs.

Among the startups selected for 'C-Lab Outside,' those with potential for business collaboration with Samsung Electronics are actively provided with opportunities for business cooperation and investment attraction through business meetings with relevant business units and PoCs (Proof of Concept).

NEUBILITY, selected for 'C-Lab Outside' last year, is piloting a robot delivery service at Samsung Electronics Digital City in Suwon using its autonomous robot 'NEUBY' to advance outdoor autonomous driving technology and delivery services.

■ Increase in Samsung-trained SW Talents Joining C-Lab Startups

C-Lab startups last June Samsung's software (SW)They also participated in the 'SSAFY Job Fair,' which was held for graduates of the retraining program 'Samsung Youth Software Academy (SSAFY).' This was the first time C-Lab startups conducted recruitment activities at this event.

There is also an increasing number of cases where SSAFY graduates are getting jobs at C-Lab startups. So far, 41 SSAFY graduates have been hired by 17 C-Lab startups, including the AI-based search platform 'FortyTwoMaru' and the logistics service platform 'Coconut Silo', which analyzes data to track cargo in real time.

Kim Dong-hwan, CEO of FortyTwoMaru, said, "It has been of great practical help to be able to recruit developers who can be immediately deployed to real-world situations through SSAFY," adding, "I hope that the virtuous cycle of supporting practical talent through the collaboration between Samsung Electronics C-Lab and SSAFY will continue to expand."

In addition, startups selected for 'C-Lab Outside' are provided with business support funds of up to 100 million won without equity acquisition, dedicated workspace, step-by-step customized mentoring in the fields of hardware, software, and mechanics provided by Samsung Electronics employees, participation in domestic and international IT exhibitions such as CES, and the free transfer or usage rights of patents owned by Samsung Electronics.

Samsung Electronics is actively leveraging the technology and management know-how it has accumulated to support the capability development and business competitiveness enhancement of startups.

Park Hak-kyu, President and Head of the Management Support Office at Samsung Electronics, stated, "We look forward to receiving support from startups that will grow further through Samsung Electronics C-Lab and establish a continuous cooperative system with Samsung Electronics," adding, "Samsung Electronics will contribute to revitalizing the domestic startup ecosystem by discovering promising startups across the country."

■ Fostering 866 in-house ventures and startups, establishing the 'C-Lab Family'

Samsung Electronics introduced 'C-Lab Inside,' an in-house venture incubation program, in December 2012 to spread a creative organizational culture where employees can freely propose ideas.

Since 2015, to enable outstanding in-house venture projects to spin off into startupsWe are also implementing a pin-off system. Based on accumulated C-Lab know-how, we established 'C-Lab Outside,' an external startup incubation program, in 2018 to revitalize the domestic startup ecosystem and create high-quality jobs for young people.

In addition, Samsung Electronics has established and operates the 'C-Lab Family' system to enable C-Lab startups to continue collaborating even after graduating from C-Lab Outside and spinning off. Samsung Electronics is actively seeking ways to achieve a genuine 'win-win' by gradually expanding partnerships and investments with the C-Lab Family. Through C-Lab, a total of 866 in-house ventures and startups (391 internal and 475 external) have been nurtured to date.