Hyundai Motor Group's three in-house startups in the future business field have recently become independent companies.

On the 4th, Hyundai Motor Group announced the spin-off of three promising in-house venture companies: 'Defon,' 'AutoEl,' and 'DataMonde.' These startups, spun off in the first half of this year, include Defon, which developed a 'variable transparency window film' that allows users to adjust the amount of sunlight entering the window. This film, produced with Hyundai's proprietary technology, can be applied not only to vehicles but also to buildings. It addresses the issues of conventional shading methods, offering convenience in installation, price competitiveness, blocking harmful UV rays, and energy savings for heating and cooling.

AutoEl is working on developing a high-resolution LiDAR sensor for autonomous driving, characterized by high performance, small size, and cost-effectiveness. The LiDAR technology, which is more precise than radar, allows detailed environmental perception. AutoEl aims to overcome the limitations of traditional LiDAR, providing a smaller, more precise, and competitively priced sensor that is easy to install in vehicles.

DataMonde offers a customer-centric and convenient point service through its participation-based point platform called 'Point Monster.' The service allows users to easily use and accumulate points through customer participation. DataMonde's innovative 'use first, register as a franchise later' approach dramatically shortens the franchise registration process, providing a point lifestyle centered on customer lifestyles rather than supplier-centered point services.

These three startups are expected to expand into various business areas beyond the automotive industry and collaborate with Hyundai Motor Group in diverse ways.

Hyundai Motor Group has been fostering in-house startups since 2000 through its startup incubation program, formerly known as 'Venture Plaza.' Starting this year, the program has been renamed 'Zero One Company Builder,' integrating with the existing open innovation platform 'Zero One' and expanding the business selection scope beyond the automotive sector.

Under the Zero One Company Builder program, Hyundai Motor Group supports employees with creative ideas by conducting evaluations through documents, interviews, workshops, and presentations. The selected companies receive opportunities for product and service development, business opportunities, and up to KRW 300 million in development costs for one year. After one year, the company reviews business performance, financial plans, entrepreneurial intentions, and decides on spin-offs or internal business development. The program also provides an opportunity for reemployment for three years after spin-off to alleviate the burden on employees entering new fields.

Hyundai Motor Group has continued to support the competitiveness enhancement of spun-off companies even after the internal startup spin-off through its open innovation platform Zero One, providing support for business development, expansion, funding, and overseas expansion.

Hyundai Motor Group has selected and nurtured a total of 58 teams through this program and has spun off 25 companies to date. Last year alone, 10 in-house startups became independent companies, and the group plans to foster and spin off approximately 10 in-house venture companies each year in the future.

A Hyundai Motor Group official stated, "To evolve into a 'smart mobility solution company' that provides customers with uninterrupted freedom of movement and a differentiated personalized service experience, we will continue our active open innovation activities and efforts to discover and commercialize innovative and creative ideas from our employees."

[Reporter Kim Hye-won]