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Hyundai Motors Group Reveals $91.4 Million Investment Fund
Hyundai Motor Group announced on Monday that it has launched its third startup investment fund to promote innovative venture companies with cutting-edge technology and ideas.
Summary:
1. The fund, established for 125 billion won (US$91.4 million), is being supported by Hyundai Motor Co., Kia Corp., Hyundai Motor Securities Co., Hyundai Mobis Co., Hyundai Glovis Co., and Hyundai Rotem Co.
2. The fund seeks to identify and invest in promising South Korean, Japanese, and Southeast Asian startups focusing on artificial intelligence, robotics, hydrogen, and cybersecurity.
3. The startup investment fund has supported 105 businesses and generated over 200 partnership cases within the group since introducing the ZER01NE platform in 2018.
According to the latest startup news, the third fund of the organization under its ZER01NE accelerator programme has been established for 125 billion won (US$91.4 million), with financial support from group affiliates.
Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Corp. each invested 40 billion won, with Hyundai Motor Securities Co. contributing 10 billion. Several additional units also contributed to this investment, including Hyundai Mobis Co., Hyundai Glovis Co., and Hyundai Rotem Co.
The fund by Hyundai Motors Group seeks to identify and invest in promising South Korean, Japanese, and Southeast Asian startups, focusing on artificial intelligence, robotics, hydrogen, and cybersecurity.
The group added that this startup investment fund will pursue commercial clients among the shortlisted startups and its affiliates, while integrating next-generation ideas.
Since introducing the ZER01NE platform in 2018, the Hyundai Motors Group has formed two other funds. Together, these funds have supported 105 businesses and generated over 200 partnership cases within the group.
“By expanding collaboration with innovative startups, we aim to generate meaningful synergies across our affiliates and accelerate our future-ready business initiatives,” said Noh Kyu-seung, president of Hyundai Motor Group’s ZER01NE division.
Meanwhile, according to the latest startup news, Hyundai Mobis filed over 7,500 patents in the last three years to increase its worldwide competitiveness through exclusive innovations in future convenience and electricity on Monday.
Last week, during its annual internal Invention Day ceremony, which took place at a business research centre in Yongin, south of Seoul, the Hyundai Motor Group unit that deals with auto parts, revealed the numbers.
According to the firm, over 3,000 patents have been issued in the electricity, autonomous driving systems, and wireless car technology sectors. Last year, Hyundai Mobis submitted around 2,300 new patents, including over 1,000 in the future transportation sector.
According to this latest startup news, Notable patent registrations include improved smart key technology for preventing digital key hacking and high-definition notification display technologies.
Notable ZER01NE Fund I portfolio firms are:
- Clobot offers cloud-based robot management platforms for businesses, including logistics, healthcare, and security. Because of their exclusive autonomous navigation systems, they grew quickly from early financing to an IPO in 2024. MakinaRocks is an AI firm focusing on commercial artificial intelligence solutions, specifically manufacturing and process automation. The company creates machine learning solutions that use data analytics that help industrial clients in predicting equipment problems, improving production processes, and increasing operational efficiency.
- POEN remanufactures and recycles end-of-life electric vehicle battery packs, converting discarded cells into high-performance, cost-effective battery units for reuse. It collaborates with OEMs worldwide to reduce battery waste and promote sustainable energy storage solutions.
With the arrival of ZER01NE Fund III, the Hyundai Motor Group confirms its commitment to creating the future of mobility and sustainability by investing in pioneering businesses with strong long-term growth prospects.
Similarly to this latest startup news of Hyundai Motor Group, Alt Carbon just raised $12 million to expand carbon removal in India. The company has a fascinating narrative. Additionally, this company has transformed from a failed family tea farm to an innovative climate firm that has raised $12 million in a seed round to ramp up its carbon dioxide removal efforts in the South Asian country.
