18 FINALISTS SELECTED

Startups To Further Development of Battery and EV Technologies

with LG Energy Solution (spinoff from LG Chem) and Hyundai, Kia with sample and Proof of Concept projects

 

CHALLENGE OVERVIEW

At LG Chem and Hyundai and Kia, the future of battery and electric vehicle technology looks promising and we are thrilled to be engaging with the startup community on building this future, together.

We believe in investing in you – in what you think and what you do.

We want to see your proof of concept ideas – at whatever stage, wherever it may take place, regardless of where you’re from. Sometimes it just takes different pairs of eyes to see potential for strategic investment – in our case, by two of Korea’s biggest supporters for startups and investors for mobile and energy storage solutions around the world.

EV and Battery Challenge is powered by New Energy Nexus.

UPCOMING WEBINARS AND RESOURCES

EVBC Information Webinar - Aug. 25, 10:00 AM PT
EVBC Information Webinar - Aug. 18, 6:00 PM PT
EVBC Information Webinar - Recording
EVBC Information Webinar - Presentation Deck
EVBC IP Legal Basics Webinar - Recording
EVBC IP Legal Basics Webinar - Presentation Deck

WHAT’S IN IT FOR MY STARTUP?

We understand it’s hard – hard to find strategic partners and funding when you are a hard-tech startup. We want you to know that we’ve got your back and here’s why.

CONNECTIONS THAT MATTER

Access to two leading mobility and energy storage companies –resulting in a simplified process to set up initial corporate collaboration, followed by interactions with the open innovation and research teams every step of the way

CONSTRUCTIVE COLLABORATIONS

Discussions at our facilities with on-the-ground support from our skilled teams. Test technologies or products – enabling merging technologies, or installing your devices on our pilot lines

SOLID SUPPORT

Roll out your Proof of Concept project with no cost to you. Receive validation from LG Chem and Hyundai Kia Motor Company – companies with the know-how and expertise to validate your technology

PARTNERSHIPS AND FUNDING

Potential for strategic and future collaboration from experienced stewards with proven track records in mentoring and financing startups, from Joint Development Agreements to licensing

Hyundai Cradle Office, Silicon Valley
Mountain View, CA

EV and Battery Challenge Workshop

November 2020

Who Should Apply?

We welcome you. Wherever you’re from, based or plan to launch

Pre-commercial companies with a working prototype

Technology Readiness Level (3-6) preferred

Desire to work with LG Chem and Hyundai and Kia

Batteries

Management and Maintenance

Materials

Reuse and Recycling

Manufacturing and Quality Control

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Charging

Fleet Management

Business Model

Customer Service

Components

Selection Criteria

What we’re looking for

Applications that clearly lay out your product description, value proposition, business model, and technology expertise.

Ideal candidates will be preferred to have a validated concept and a working prototype.

Team should present strong expertise in the battery and mobility sector.

The proposed solution should clearly differentiate from existing solutions and provide plans for global scale.

Team should present a business model based on credible commercial and economic assumptions.

Terms & Conditions Application Packet

Timeline

WINNERS FROM 2019

LG Chem is continuously striving to lead in battery technology development based on an open innovation approach. We will foster potential start-ups in partnership with Hyundai and Kia, and strengthen our capabilities in the EV sector.

Myung-Hwan Kim, Chief Production & Procurement Officer and Head of the Battery R&D, LG Chem

We are widening our collaboration with startups with promising and innovative ideas. We look forward to working with various startups that will lead the global electric vehicle market and next-generation battery innovation through a joint program with LG Chem, which has world-class battery technology.

Youngcho Chi, President and Chief Innovation Officer, Hyundai Motor Company Group

Both LG Chem and Hyundai and Kia are leading the charge for better batteries and better mobility systems. Their joint effort to accelerate startups through the EV and Battery Challenge shows they are it for the long game. We are proud to be working with such forward-thinking companies in enabling a faster, cleaner energy transition.

Danny Kennedy, Chief Energy Officer, New Energy Nexus

Who We Are

Korea has been ranked first in the world for 6 consecutive years (2014-2019) by the Bloomberg Innovation Index and holds other accolades, to which LG Chem and Hyundai and Kia have contributed significantly since the 1940’s and continue to make substantial contributions.

LG CHEM

Sungrok Bang, Ph.D

Head of Department

Open Innovation
Battery R&D

Jim Kim

Open Innovation Director

Technology Center
of America

Hakjin Jang

Senior Manager

Open Innovation
Battery R&D

Jiyoon Kim, Ph.D

Senior Manager

Open Innovation
Battery R&D

Yujong Kim, Ph.D

Senior Manager

Open Innovation
Battery R&D

HYUNDAI AND KIA

Keith Noh

Lead of Startup Incubation Team

Wooram Yang

Open Innovation Manager

Henry Chen

Lead of Open Innovation Team

CRADLE

Seungwan Kim, Ph.D

Open Innovation Manager

CRADLE

Michelle Zhou

Senior Investment Associate

CRADLE

New Energy Nexus

Andrew Chang

Program Director

EV and Battery Challenge

Yi Ke

Program Manager

Mobility and
Energy Storage

Partners