-Hoban Construction CEO Kim Daeheon establishes accelerator corporation 'PlenH Ventures' to drive apartment innovation
The second-generation heirs of construction groups are attracting public attention by showcasing new perspectives and approaches in M&A (mergers and acquisitions) and new businesses based on their own unique and innovative ideas.
One of the most active figures recently is Kim Daeheon, the Chief Planning Officer of Hoban Construction. Hoban Construction, led by Kim Daeheon, is investing in ventures, small and medium-sized enterprises, and startups that possess new technologies, while quickly responding to the smart construction system. The construction companies within Hoban Group, including Hoban Construction, are accelerating product differentiation by integrating new technologies into Hoban Summit and Verdiium apartments.
The apartment innovation of Hoban Construction and Hoban Industry is being carried out through Hoban Construction’s accelerator corporation, Plan H Ventures (hereafter Plan H). Kim Daeheon, Chief Planning Officer of Hoban Construction, established Plan H last year. An accelerator, a term derived from the accelerator pedal in automobiles, refers to startup-related programs that encompass investment, connection, and sales to foster startup growth. Plan H provides incubation and investment for startups, R&A linkage (TIPS), and follow-up investment support.
Plan H of Hoban Construction has shown tangible results within a year. It has invested in urban smart farm company Sesle Primus, facial recognition-based security solution company CVT, digital twin technology company Fluxity, and proptech companies Ten Eleven and Jin Plus, and continues to research integrating these technologies into Hoban Construction’s housing products.
In particular, CVT and Sesle Primus were selected as new operators of TIPS (Tech Incubator Program for Startup) by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups in the second half of 2019. TIPS is a ‘private investment-led technology startup support’ program created by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups in 2013 to support early-stage startups. Private investment companies discover and invest in startups, and the Ministry supports them with R&D funds, creating a structure where private investors provide initial funding and the government backs them. Companies selected as TIPS operators can receive R&D funding from the Ministry during the process of discovering and investing in startups.
Recently, Hoban Construction has expanded its investment scope to advanced technologies related to smart cities. In June, Hoban Construction signed an investment agreement and business cooperation MOU with Fluxity, which possesses digital twin technology. Digital twin technology simulates real spaces on computers and is used in integrated control solutions for smart cities and smart buildings.
There are also movements toward developing next-generation ventilation systems. In August, Plan H signed a business cooperation agreement to jointly develop next-generation ventilation systems with Aiol Korea, a company specializing in indoor air management solutions. Aiol Korea is a specialized company capable of equipping general ventilation devices with materials and components that provide dehumidification, cooling, and sterilization functions. It has the technological capability to apply multifunctional next-generation ventilation systems to residential and commercial equipment. Additionally, Aiol Korea’s ventilation system is known to improve dehumidification performance by 50% compared to existing systems and reduce power consumption by more than 40%.
Recently, CEO Kim Daeheon has been known to attempt various organizational innovations beyond discovering new technologies and investments. Last month, Hoban Construction signed a business cooperation agreement (MOU) for digital transformation with Microsoft Korea at Hoban Park in Umyeon-dong, Seocho-gu.
According to the agreement, the two companies will form a joint task force (TF) and promote digital transformation work by combining Microsoft’s cloud service ‘Azure’ with collaboration platforms. They plan to pursue ▲building business forecasting services applying artificial intelligence and big data analysis ▲supporting smart workplace programs.
Kim Daeheon, Chief Planning Officer of Hoban Construction, said, “In a rapidly changing environment, innovation through active convergence of different industries is urgently needed. Through collaboration with Microsoft, we will not only maximize the efficiency of work processes but also create an opportunity to promote comprehensive innovation.”
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