Korea Startup Forum Launches 'Climate Tech Industry Council' for Climate Tech Startups and Investors

Kim Jongkyu, CEO of Sixty Hertz, appointed as inaugural chairman
Participation from 26 startups and impact investment firms

On January 28, the Korea Startup Forum announced the official launch of the Climate Tech Industry Council, a coalition established to seek a sustainable future together with climate tech startups focused on carbon neutrality, renewable energy, and the circular economy.

Startups and Investment Firms Affiliated with the Climate Tech Industry Council

Amid the climate crisis, climate tech startups that are achieving technological innovation across various fields are facing challenges such as market entry barriers and regulatory hurdles. The council has been established to provide effective policy recommendations and implement practical institutional improvements that reflect the voices from the field.

The council includes 26 startups and impact investment firms. Participating members are Aaron, Eva, Ents, Ubett, Envisioning Partners, Capture6, Carbon Neutrality Research Institute, Terracle, Farm360.ai, Korea Green Data, LF Investment, Gridwiz, Newton, Mannanhanyeoseokdeul, Marine Innovation, Unmanned Exploration Research Institute, Byeolttareogaja, Bukang Tech, Rebit, Rico, Repla, Reharvest, Root Energy, Sopoong Ventures, Superbin, and Sixty Hertz. The council plans to create a healthy ecosystem where startups and investment firms can grow together as key players transforming the reality of the climate crisis into a driving force for innovation.

Kim Jongkyu, CEO of Sixty Hertz, an energy IT social venture, has been elected as the council's inaugural chairman. Under his leadership, the council will organize specialized committees. The council aims to serve as a first mover in leading the global climate tech market and building a sustainable future by taking on a variety of roles.

The council's core values include: △Growth engine for the era of AX (AI transformation), △Securing super-gap competitiveness, △Field-oriented policy design, △Public safety and national prosperity, and △First mover. Specifically, the council will create a foundation for innovation by combining AI and data technologies with environmental protection to generate new business opportunities and achieve both economic growth and carbon neutrality.

Additionally, the council plans to secure leadership in the global market with Korean-style climate tech solutions by integrating hardware technologies such as batteries, hydrogen, and solar power with AI-based energy management software. To create an ecosystem where regulation serves as a guideline for innovation, the council will reflect field voices in policy and establish institutional foundations that enable real growth for startups.

Chairman Kim Jongkyu stated, "The launch of this council is significant in that the startup industry is taking the lead as a first mover in addressing the most urgent challenge facing humanity-the climate crisis," adding, "We will strengthen R&D collaboration in key climate tech fields and focus on identifying regulatory improvement tasks and institutional reforms to establish more effective policies and support systems."

KOSPO is the largest startup organization in Korea, with about 2,600 startups and innovative companies. It operates several sub-councils, including the Remote Medical Industry Council, Legal Tech Industry Council, AI Think Tank, and MICE Tech Industry Council.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.