AI startups looking for their next challenge have until June 5 to apply for the 2^nd AI+ OpenData Challenge – a competition where startups tackle problem statements issued by Korean public institutions, using the institutions’ own operational data to build AI solutions that improve real government services.
 
Startups less than ten years old are welcome to apply. A briefing session for interested teams is scheduled for May 12, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. at the Korea Venture Investment (KVIC) Building in Seocho-gu, Seoul. To apply, visit www.k-startup.go.kr.
 
Running for the second year, the AI+ OpenData Challenge opens up public institution data to the startup community – with a clear goal: finding AI solutions that make a tangible difference in the daily lives of citizens and small business owners.
 
This year brings six problem statements across two tracks:
 
Contract-Linked Tract (winners get a procurement contract with the issuing institution, putting their solution into live use)

• Automated generation of policy fund loan applications by Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME)
• AI-based financial support decision model for small business owners by Small Enterprise and Market Service (SEMAS)
• AI model for generating startup growth histories by Korea Institute of Startup and Entrepreneurship Development (KISED)

 
Open Track (Prize money only; no follow-on contract)

• Policy impact prediction and analysis by Korea SME Institute (KOSBI)
• Automated identification of innovative growth industry companies by Korea Credit Guarantee Fund (KODIT)
• Market entry strategy recommendation by KOSME and Korea University of Technology and Education (KoreaTech)

 
The competition moves through three rounds: an initial application review, a main development round, and a final evaluation.
 
Thirty teams make it through the first cut – five per challenge. From there, each team gets access to their institution’s dataset and start building. Every team in the main round receives KRW 20 million (USD 13,300) to cover development and testing costs, plus access to GPU infrastructure and other necessary resources.
 
At the final stage, solutions are evaluated not just by a panel of experts but also by a group of actual small business owners and SME representatives – people who would use these tools in practice.
 
One winner per challenge. Six winners in total. Each takes home KRW 100 million (USD 66,700).
 
Winners on the contract-linked track go one step further: their solutions will be procured and deployed directly into public service by the institution that issued the challenge. All six winners also get a leg up when applying to other government programs, including the Startup Package, DIPS (Deep-tech Incubating Program for Startups), and technology innovation R*D funding.
“Public data paired with the best AI from our startups can genuinely change how government services work,” said Minister Han Seong-Sook. “We want to give capable AI startups the platform and support they need to show what they can do.”
 
To apply, visit www.k-startup.go.kr
 
 

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