Mercedes-Benz Korea to Recruit Companies for 'Startup Autobahn Korea 2026'

*This content was translated by AI.

Mercedes-Benz Korea is recruiting participating companies for its open innovation program, "Startup Autobahn Korea 2026," aimed at identifying promising domestic startups with innovative technologies in the future mobility sector. Applications will be accepted via the official website until June 21.

"Startup Autobahn" is a global platform launched by Mercedes-Benz Group headquarters in 2016. It was introduced in Korea in 2020 and is now in its seventh year. This year's program will select a total of five companies focusing on artificial intelligence (AI), digital transformation (DX), business automation, customer experience improvement, and business-to-business (B2B) solutions. Selected companies, finalized through interviews and other evaluations in July, will receive approximately 100 days of expert mentoring and technical support to validate their technologies through proof-of-concept (PoC) assessments and explore commercialization potential. Their final results will be presented at the "Expo Day" event at the end of the year. However, the program does not disclose specific financial figures such as the budget size for startup support, participation fees, or the amount of individual cash prizes awarded as incentives to selected companies.

Key funding for price and cost support will be secured through collaboration with the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Korea Startup & Entrepreneurship Support Agency. Mercedes-Benz Korea will support participating companies by linking them with its global corporate collaboration program, "Around X." Selected startups will directly receive the government-provided "Commercialization Support Grant," helping to alleviate financial burdens incurred during the initial technology validation and commercialization stages.

Additionally, Mercedes-Benz Korea will provide free technical collaboration mentoring with its own business divisions and commercialization validation benefits. For companies selected as outstanding performers, the program will also offer intangible investment benefits that are difficult to quantify in monetary terms, including opportunities to visit Mercedes-Benz headquarters in Germany and expand their global networks.

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*This content was translated by AI.