LG Energy Solution (spinoff from LG Chem), Hyundai Motor Company, and Kia Motors Corporation have selected 18 startups as finalists of EV and Battery Challenge (EVBC), a global startup innovation program to accelerate startups building battery and electric vehicle technologies through strategic partnerships. The finalists will collaborate with the corporates on Proof of Concept and sample testing projects.
The EV and Battery Challenge launched in June 2020, with New Energy Nexus as the program manager and facilitator. 240 startups from 37 countries and regions applied to the program. Startups developing cutting-edge technologies include electric vehicle charging and fleet management, power electronics and components, personalization services and battery management, battery materials, manufacturing, and recycling.
All applications were carefully reviewed by the researchers and open innovation staff at LG Energy Solution, Hyundai Motor, and Kia. 25 startups were short-listed and interviewed. As a result, 18 startups finalists were accepted to attend virtual workshops where they discussed and shaped their collaborations.
The EV and Battery Challenge provides a value exchange where both startups and corporates can benefit. Startups that join the program gain access to industry experts, funds and manufacturing capabilities while corporates get access to deal flow and insight on emerging technologies.
The EV and Battery Challenge is the second iteration of the Battery Challenge by LG Chem in 2019, with Hyundai Motor and Kia as new co-sponsors. Last year, the Battery Challenge received 129 applications from 27 countries. Seven finalists were invited to the LG Chem headquarters in Korea to meet with researchers to pitch their technologies and collaborate on joint development projects. $100,000 in total were awarded to the Top 5 winners of the program.
LG Chem, Hyundai Motor, and Kia launched the EV and Battery Challenge in June 2020. On December 1, 2020, LG Chem officially launched its new wholly-owned subsidiary LG Energy Solution, which consists of the battery business of LG Chem. The spin-off doesn’t impact the operation of the program. The startups continued to collaborate with LG Energy Solution.
Delft IMP, Hyundai and Kia
As result of the 2020 EV and Battery Challenge competition, Delft IMP B.V., Delft, The Netherlands, is one of the startups selected to participate in a collaborative project with Hyundai and Kia.
Hyundai Motor Company & Kia Corporation and Delft IMP have agreed to execute a PoC (Proof of Concept) project to develop a new battery solution and to prove its feasibility and validity by using an advanced gas-phase nanocoating technology.
“By applying nanometre-thin coatings on powders, we are capable of creating new composite materials leading to better performance and enhanced durability of batteries. Using a proprietary technology originating from the TU Delft, we can produce these at an industrially relevant scale. Now is the right time to start commercializing this.”’ said Dr. Roderik Colen, CEO of Delft IMP. “It is a matter of time before breakthrough developments using ultra-thin coatings become commercially available.”
“Hyundai Motor and Kia will keep working with startups from all over the world to build synergies using innovative technologies,” said Keith Noh team manager from Hyundai explains.
