South Korean builder Hyundai E&C announced that it has selected 12 emerging startups through the fifth edition of its open innovation competition.

Co-organised with the Seoul Economic Promotion Agency, the “2026 Hyundai E&C x Seoul Startup Open Innovation” contest aims to discover technologies that will drive the future of the construction industry.

The selection follows an application window from 26 March to 19 April, which drew 156 applicants. Candidates were evaluated through document reviews, presentation assessments and the formulation of proof-of-concept (PoC) business plans. The final 12 firms span five distinct categories: three in Construction AX, three in Future Housing, two in Lifestyle, three in Digital Healthcare and one in Smart Construction Technology.

From this month through October, the chosen startups will work alongside Hyundai E&C operational departments to run a four-month proof-of-concept trial. Hyundai E&C will supply funding for commercialisation alongside testing opportunities. Depending on the outcomes, the firm intends to pursue deeper collaborations, including site-wide applications, joint technology development, purchasing agreements and potential investments.

Results from these joint trials will be presented at the “2026 Hyundai E&C Open Innovation Day” scheduled for October.

A Hyundai E&C official stated: “The most important aspect of open innovation is not merely discovering excellent technologies, but connecting them to actual sites and projects. We will continue to expand opportunities for collaboration through close partnerships with startups to ensure that innovative technologies lead to tangible business results.”

Between 2022 and 2025, Hyundai E&C ran proof-of-concept trials with 43 startups through the scheme. The firm has maintained ongoing partnerships with 27 of those companies through joint product development and procurement contracts. Notably, an autonomous delivery robot startup called “Mobin”, selected during the 2023 contest, tested an apartment delivery service that was officially deployed at the DH Edelui site last August.