Kakao Partners with Four Major Institutes of Science and Technology to Foster Regional AI Ecosystem with 50 Billion Won Fund Over Five Years

Investment in AI Startups, Talent Development, Industry Transformation Research, and Enhancement of AI Literacy

Kakao Group is joining forces with Korea's four major Institutes of Science and Technology (KAIST, GIST, DGIST, and UNIST) to foster a "regional AI ecosystem" aimed at balanced national growth. On September 18, Kakao announced plans to establish a fund worth a total of 50 billion won over the next five years to build regional AI hubs, supporting startup investment, talent development, and research initiatives.

This fund will be used for four key projects: supporting investment in AI startups, nurturing future AI talent, supporting research for AI transformation of region-specific industries, and enhancing AI literacy. Through these efforts, Kakao aims to strengthen the foundation of the regional AI industry and help promising talent grow within their local communities, rather than concentrating in the Seoul metropolitan area.

The main objective is to establish an AI development program that spans the entire talent development cycle, from adolescence to university and entrepreneurship. By providing region-specific education and research, the initiative seeks to spread talent and resources beyond the Seoul area and create a virtuous cycle linking education, research, and entrepreneurship, thereby accelerating the AI transformation (AX) of local industries.

To achieve this, Kakao will introduce a new industry-academia cooperation model with the four institutes, aiming to commercialize research outcomes and facilitate global expansion. Kakao Investment will provide seed funding to startups founded by outstanding talent from these institutes, while experts from Kakao and its affiliates-including Kakao Mobility, Kakao Bank, Kakao Entertainment, and Kakao Pay-will offer mentoring.

Jung Sinha, Chair of the Kakao CA Council, stated, "Kakao will leverage its accumulated AI technology and ecosystem development experience to support the global expansion of promising regional talent and startups," adding, "We will help ensure that the AI hubs established with the four institutes become growth centers that reach out to the world."