'ConTech Meet-Up Day' opens applications for 22 in-demand technologies

Open innovation push covers OSC, design AI, procurement and more

SK Ecoplant's headquarters. [SK Ecoplant]
SK Ecoplant's headquarters. [SK Ecoplant]

SK Ecoplant is launching a search for innovative technologies across key business areas, including AI data centers, off-site construction (OSC) and AI applications for design, procurement and construction.

The company announced Monday it will hold an open innovation competition called the "2026 ConTech Meet-Up Day" to identify startups and small- and medium-sized enterprises with promising technologies and pursue joint development and commercialization with them.

ConTech Meet-Up Day launched in 2020 and this year marks its seventh edition. A total of 17 public, research and investment institutions are co-hosting the event, including the Research Zone Promotion Foundation, Hoseo University, the Korea Electronics Technology Institute, SK Securities, Synergy IB Investment, the South Chungcheong Province Creative Economy Innovation Center and the Daejeon Creative Economy Innovation Center.

Applications are open for 22 in-demand technologies that can be applied to SK Ecoplant's projects and worksites. Key areas include AI data centers, OSC, design AI, procurement AI, construction AI, robotics and automation, and resource recycling and safety.

In the AI data center category, the company is seeking technologies related to power, cooling, design and operational efficiency. For OSC, it is looking for solutions covering design, modular fabrication, and logistics and installation automation. Other areas include drawing analysis and design review, unit cost analysis and cost forecasting, on-site progress and quality management, robot-based process automation, and technologies and solutions related to resource recycling and safety.

Startups and small- and medium-sized enterprises with relevant technologies and solutions are eligible to apply. The application period runs from Monday through Sept. 30 via SK Ecoplant's website.

SK Ecoplant will review submissions through document screening and presentation evaluations, assessing each entry on technological innovation, potential for joint development, and applicability to the company's projects and worksites before selecting winners.

Winning companies will proceed with joint technology development with SK Ecoplant and explore commercialization opportunities. The company will also work with co-hosting institutions to support technology development funding and investment attraction, and outstanding firms will receive commendations from the co-hosts.

Through competitions held from 2023 through last year, SK Ecoplant identified a total of 31 companies and pursued joint development and commercialization efforts with them.

"Through this competition, we plan to identify innovative technologies applicable to key business areas including AI data centers," SK Ecoplant President Kim Young-sik said. "We will continue strengthening our future technology competitiveness through open innovation with a diverse range of companies and institutions."


quq@heraldcorp.com