KOTRA Provides Information on US Competition Where Apple Awarded Korean Startups

Introduction to Next Year's Awards Ceremony and Presentation of Winning Strategies

A scene from the KOTRA webinar supporting the Edison Awards, a major innovation technology competition in the United States. (Photo by KOTRA)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] KOTRA announced on the 11th that it provided information on major U.S. technology competitions to startups with strong technological capabilities but lacking overseas information.

KOTRA held a webinar the day before to support applications for the U.S. 'Edison Awards.' The Edison Awards Operating Committee and award-winning companies shared participation strategies and know-how. A total of 98 participants from 74 startups attended. The webinar was held to help more companies secure overseas references.

The Edison Awards is the most prestigious technology competition in the United States. Past winners include global technology companies such as Apple, 3M, and General Electric (GE). Recently, innovative technology startups worldwide have been challenging for awards. Gold, silver, and bronze seals are awarded according to ranking.

At the webinar, Lindsay Birch, Marketing Director of the Edison Awards Operating Committee, guided domestic startups on how to write applications that attract attention. The Operating Committee provided a coupon for a 10% discount on the application fee to companies participating in this webinar.

Hyunwoo Ahn, CEO of SoftPV, a Korean startup that won the bronze award in the Customer Solutions Innovation Materials category this year, shared detailed know-how on the motivation for application and how to write the application.

Yuntae Kim, Head of KOTRA's Small and Medium Enterprises Division, said, "Following the CES Innovation Awards, KOTRA is focusing on supporting startups to secure overseas references through the Edison Awards webinar," adding, "We hope this webinar will serve as a guide and increase the number of domestic startups winning awards."

Applications for next year's Edison Awards began on the 1st of this month and will close in November. After judging, finalists will be announced on February 11 next year. Award-winning companies will be selected at an offline event in Florida, USA, in April next year.