![Kwon Bong-seok, COO of LG Corp., second from right, and Jeong Su-heon, CEO of LG Sciencepark, at far right, watch a startup technology demonstration at Superstart Day 2026. [Photo=LG]](https://image.ajunews.com/content/image/2026/04/23/20260423102751190622.jpg)
LG has introduced a new platform to identify and develop university startup teams, aiming to broaden South Korea’s youth startup ecosystem.
LG said it held its startup scouting event, 'Superstart Day 2026,' on Wednesday at LG Sciencepark in Seoul’s Magok district, where it unveiled its new 'Rookie Program' for university-founded teams. The program is designed to find promising campus-born ideas early and connect them to commercialization.
Launched in 2018, Superstart Day has become a venue where startups seek collaboration with LG affiliates as well as investors and institutions. LG said the event has drawn a cumulative 30,000 visitors from 30 countries. This year’s event was attended by Kwon Bong-seok, COO of LG Corp., and about 30 technology executives, including chief technology officers from major affiliates. Venture capital firms, accelerators, public institutions and universities also took part to assess commercialization potential.
At the event, 41 deep-tech startups presented their technologies. In robotics, solutions that convert hand movements into data for robot learning and technologies for manipulating irregularly shaped objects drew attention. LG also showcased technologies in what it calls the ABC areas — artificial intelligence, bio and cleantech — which it has identified as future businesses. LG said about 120 investment and partnership meetings were held on site.
The new Rookie Program targets university startup teams. Teams selected through recommendations from major universities and research institutions, including Seoul National University, POSTECH and Hanyang University, delivered pitches aimed at raising investment and securing business cooperation. Three teams — Pinta AI, Motomind and Forbody — were chosen as final winners and received prize money, a document-review exemption for the Ministry of SMEs and Startups’ Early-Stage Startup Package, and opportunities to work with LG affiliates. They will also receive benefits from the 'Superstart Incubator,' including office space, support for demonstration costs and welfare services.
LG said it will provide all participating teams with technology mentoring and on-site tours regardless of selection, and plans to expand the program. The company said it aims to build a support system that links early-stage startups to growth.
Jeong Su-heon, CEO of LG Sciencepark, said, “Through the Rookie Program, we will discover young innovative startups early and build LG’s differentiated innovation ecosystem.”
The government is also expanding startup support. It has declared this year the start of a “National Startup Era” and set a budget of about 1.9 trillion won to support youth startups and jobs. The Ministry of SMEs and Startups allocated 150 billion won of that total to support startups less than three years old.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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