SK Innovation E&S Connects Korean and Indonesian Startup Ecosystems...Fostering AI Climate Tech

'Climate Solve Week' Kicks Off in Busan for Six Days Starting September 5

Strengthening Collaboration Between Young Entrepreneurs from Both Countries

Support Provided from Idea Discovery to Expert Networking and Business Commercialization

"Today's event marks an encounter between Busan and Indonesia. The purpose of this gathering is to connect the capacities of the public and private sectors, as well as academia, which have been scattered, to establish an ecosystem that continually generates new entrepreneurs."

At the Solve Conference held on September 8, 2026, at the Busan Port International Exhibition & Convention Center in Dong-gu, Busan, Jiyong Min, Head of Sustainable Management at SK Innovation E&S, stated, "Since societal issues constantly evolve, what we need are not one-off solutions, but fundamental answers."

Jiyongmin, Head of the Sustainable Management Office at SK Innovation E&S, is explaining the necessity of establishing a Korea-Indonesia youth startup ecosystem and cooperation in climate tech at the Solve Conference held on the 8th at the Busan Port International Exhibition and Convention Center in Dong-gu, Busan. SK Innovation

On this day, SK Innovation E&S hosted the Solve Conference under the theme of activating an AI-based climate tech startup ecosystem and broadening collaboration between Busan and Indonesia. The event was attended by over 250 people, including Ali Andika Wardana, Deputy Ambassador of the Embassy of Indonesia in Korea; Yongwoo Kim, Director of the Busan Creative Economy Center; other key stakeholders; and both domestic and international entrepreneurs.

This event was one of the main programs of 'Climate Solve Week,' which SK Innovation E&S is holding in Busan from September 5 to 10, 2026. It was designed to link youth startup support projects that have been independently carried out in Korea and Indonesia, and to expand the range of support—from idea discovery and AI education to expert networking and business commercialization.

Min further explained, "Because the energy business requires large-scale infrastructure, the trust and support of the local community are essential. We determined that nurturing and supporting entrepreneurs within the local community would create synergy for both the community and the company."

At the Solve Conference held on the 8th at the Busan Port Exhibition and International Convention Center, from left to right, the following individuals took a commemorative photo: Jeongseok Choi, CEO of Busan City Gas; Yongmin Ji, Head of Sustainability Management at SK Innovation E&S; Donggeun Son, Head of SK Innovation E&S Indonesia Corporation; Andika Wardana Ali, Deputy Ambassador of the Embassy of Indonesia in Korea; Manjae Choi, Director of Future Energy Division, Busan City; Yongwoo Kim, Director of Busan City Creative Economy Center; Jehyeon Jung, Vice President of Udi Impact; and Taewook Ahn, Professor at KAIST Startup Institute. SK Innovation

The local startup support model of SK Innovation E&S originated from 'Localize Gunsan,' a program begun in Gunsan, North Jeolla Province, in 2019. This program supports the settlement of young entrepreneurs in order to revitalize the stagnant regional economy. A total of 26 startup teams were selected and provided with business development funding, housing, and coaching and training over a three-year period.

This model was expanded to Busan in 2024. 'I'M in Busan' identifies and supports promising startups that can address local issues by providing business development funds and connecting them with citizens, public institutions, and universities.

Last year, the company launched 'MAJU:ON' to extend this approach to Indonesia. By signing agreements with eight major universities in Indonesia, SK Innovation E&S provided AI-based entrepreneurship education and expert coaching to university students and young entrepreneurs. To date, about 500 students have participated, resulting in the development of 137 business ideas.

On the same day, SK Innovation E&S also introduced additional cases of fostering startups through the creation of a local startup ecosystem and open innovation. Jongin Pyeon, Project Leader of the SV Committee at the SK SUPEX Council, presented the group’s strategy of 'local-based development,' which involves building startup ecosystems in regions where SK Group's business sites are located in order to tackle both the concentration of population and economic activity in the Seoul metropolitan area and the threat of depopulation in other regions.

SK Innovation E&S held the Solve Conference on the 8th under the theme of "Activation of AI-Based Climate Tech Startup Ecosystem and Expansion of Cooperation between Busan and Indonesia." SK Innovation

Actual startup teams also presented their cases. The hackathon-winning team 'SAMA' and the 'AIGRA' team, which excelled in the MAJU:ON program, each shared their entrepreneurial journeys and ideas.

The SAMA team, in particular, focused on the difficulties that Fabric Duct—a company participating in the I'M in Busan program—faces in discovering and networking with local clients in Indonesia. SAMA proposed an AI-powered solution: the AI system automatically identifies and analyzes potential local client companies and reaches out to them via email to pitch collaboration.

The panel discussion explored the topic “Climate and Energy: The Next 10 Years for Korea and Indonesia” and discussed future avenues of cooperation. Participants emphasized that a collaborative ecosystem encompassing youth startup incubation, technological cooperation, investment connectivity, and policy support between the two countries is essential for solving climate and energy challenges.

During Climate Solve Week, young people from both countries can participate in programs that offer a hands-on experience across the entire startup ecosystem. On September 5, the 'Impact Hackathon' was held to generate solutions for real-world challenges faced by SMEs based in Busan.

On September 9 and 10, a benchmarking tour will be conducted at the Busan Centum Technology Startup Town, where participants can observe actual startup sites. The AIGRA and 'Lifeguard' teams, recognized as outstanding teams at Indonesia's MAJU:ON event in May, are scheduled to join the tour.

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