2024 Seoul Climate Tech Conference Held
Exhibition on Low-Carbon Diets to Save the Climate
Opportunity for Startup-Stage Companies to 'Make Their Name Known'
Technology that heats roads 10 times faster than heating wires to melt snow. A company that collects waste cooking oil discarded as food waste or sewage and converts it into fuel to replace petroleum. Seoul has brought together technologies that save the globally critical issue of 'climate' in one place.
Seoul City and Seoul National University Climate Tech Center jointly held the '2024 Seoul Climate Tech Conference' at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) on the 25th and 26th. The 'Seoul Low-Carbon Dietary Expo,' where visitors could directly experience vegan food and more, was held simultaneously. In its second year, the Climate Tech Conference featured a total of 45 companies ranging from startups to large corporations. Both the number of participating companies and exhibition booths increased in scale compared to last year.
Seoul Metropolitan Government and Seoul National University Climate Tech Center held the '2024 Seoul Climate Tech Conference' at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) on the 25th and 26th. Photo by Seoul Metropolitan Government
Seoul City is accelerating its response to the climate crisis. Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who encourages public transportation use, created the million-seller policy 'Climate Companion Card,' and established the 'Carbon Neutrality Support Center' to achieve the city's 2050 carbon neutrality goal. The city also formed a green enterprise startup fund and a climate tech fund to invest in promising early-stage green and climate tech companies based in Seoul.
Getting Noticed, Grasping Trends... Climate Tech Companies 'Excited'
This conference was an opportunity for climate tech companies to promote their names and technologies. Nano Electronics, which participated in the company briefing on the second day, introduced 'EcoWay,' an advanced road heating system that melts snow on roads more efficiently and faster than heating wires. While it compensates for the drawbacks of heating wires, unlike other expensive advanced materials, it offers high performance at a similar price. Sustainers Co., Ltd. introduced 'ReU,' a smart waste cooking oil collection box. The collected waste cooking oil is recycled as the main raw material for 'biodiesel,' which replaces petroleum and reduces carbon emissions. After the companies' presentations, attendees from related industries and local governments showed interest by asking detailed questions about the technology's applications.
Winners of the startup competition held at the '2024 Seoul Climate Tech Conference' on the 26th. Provided by Seoul City
In the startup idea competition for climate tech, 'BT Energy,' which presented a small hydropower generation system, won the grand prize. 'Urban Labs,' which collects coffee waste to produce plant-based alternative protein, won the excellence award, while 'Somuna,' with its eco-friendly cold chain system, and 'Innoverse,' with its AI-powered unmanned transparent PET bottle collection machine, received merit awards. Award-winning companies receive up to 10 million KRW in prize money and benefits such as incentives when supported in climate change response innovative technology demonstration projects. A Seoul city official explained, "The reason for holding the Climate Tech Conference was that people were not well aware of related technologies. Companies also had a desire to promote their technologies," adding, "It is an opportunity not only to facilitate exchanges among climate tech companies and provide information on the latest trends but also to open sales channels."
Investment attraction and business discussions were also actively conducted. A company attending the conference said, "After the business presentation, some people approached us to demonstrate the technology or purchase samples," and added, "Climate tech-related events are not frequently held domestically, but with this year's Climate Tech Conference, investors showed a lot of interest."
Leading domestic and international companies in the climate tech field shared trends such as megatrends. Seo Sang-won, CTO of 'Watershed,' a global climate tech unicorn company, spoke about the growth and experiences of climate tech companies. Watershed, founded in 2019, is a U.S.-based carbon accounting software company that develops software supporting greenhouse gas emission measurement and sustainability reporting, serving numerous global corporations as clients. Jack Greenwood, APAC Marketing Chief Officer of the UK renewable energy producer 'KrakenFlex,' also shared his experiences and introduced climate tech megatrends. KrakenFlex provides real-time energy consumption monitoring and energy-saving solutions to over 54 million customers worldwide.
Participating Citizens Also 'Excited'... Full of Engagement Content
At this conference and expo, not only companies but also attending citizens could find engaging content to participate in. The Climate Golden Bell quiz, where participants could answer climate-related questions and win prizes, attracted many attendees. A popular corner allowed visitors to pedal an electric bicycle to light up bulbs and taste 'Seoul Ramen' and 'Seoul Jjajang' served in reusable containers. When the bicycle pedals were turned and the bulbs on the tree lit up, visitors could sample the ramen.
On the 26th, at the '2024 Seoul Climate Tech Conference,' a citizen is lighting a bulb using an electric bicycle. Photo by Kim Young-won
The 'Low-Carbon Dietary Talk Show,' featuring comedian Kim Jae-woo, science communicator Woollim, and singer-songwriter Yojo, was filled with citizens. While emphasizing the high carbon emissions of meat production systems, practical questions and answers were exchanged, such as "It is difficult not to eat meat at all. If you had to choose to eat only one among beef, chicken, or pork, which would be most effective (for the climate)?" Panelists and the audience also tasted 'vegan jerky' made by companies participating in the dietary expo together.
Additionally, most exhibition booths encouraged citizen participation through activities like spinning a roulette and making climate pledges, distributing simple gifts such as vegan cookies. A city official explained, "Unlike last year, we expanded spaces and programs where citizens can participate, not just exhibitions."
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