Martial Arts, First Local Government Open Innovation Progress Report with Gangnam-gu

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Yoon-joo] The Korea International Trade Association (Chairman Kim Young-joo), in collaboration with Gangnam-gu, held the 'Gangnam-gu X KITA Open Innovation Project Performance Presentation' on the 29th at COEX in Samseong-dong, unveiling the achievements to date.

This project is a pilot initiative where the Trade Association and Gangnam-gu jointly integrate innovative business models and technologies from startups into public administration, the first of its kind among local governments. At the presentation, attended by over 50 participants including venture investors, public institutions, and local government officials, the achievements of eight startups were announced.

Rozain's smart road pavement, which changes color like a chameleon to warn drivers when the road surface becomes icy and slippery, has secured budget allocation and is currently being installed at four pilot sites. Additionally, Zillings' corporate information management platform, which analyzes government support project outcomes for companies in real time, has been adopted and utilized at the Gangnam-gu Youth Startup Support Center. Orgnize's artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot, which responds to inquiries 24/7, is being implemented alongside improvements to the Gangnam-gu mobile app.

Other solutions currently undergoing field testing include Lululab's AI-based fever and mask-wearing screening solution and OysterAble's smart Internet of Things (IoT) waste separation solution.

A Gangnam-gu official stated, "Some startups selected through the demo day event in July immediately began testing, while those not yet introduced are continuously coordinating with relevant departments on application methods and potential issues to determine the timing of implementation." They added, "We are also securing budgets for actual future implementation."

Park Sun-kyung, Director of the Innovation Ecosystem Office at KITA, said, "Once all tests are completed, we will widely promote the implications and success stories of this project so that the open innovation cases with Gangnam-gu can expand to other public sectors."