■ On Wednesday, the 8th, Hyundai E&C shared the results of collaboration with 12 construction safety innovation startups, providing a platform for exchanging outstanding technologies

■ Supports the growth of innovative companies, from technology validation to commercialization, in areas such as generative AI, VR/XR, and safety training platforms

■ Expands the discovery and support of innovative companies through various programs, including startup competitions and the Startup Leap Package

Organizers of the “2026 H-Safe Open Innovation DEMO DAY” pose for a commemorative photo

Hyundai E&C is strengthening its collaboration with startups to expand the on-site application of innovative technologies in construction safety and foster an open innovation ecosystem in the construction industry.

The company announced on Wednesday, the 8th, that it held the “2026 H-Safe Open Innovation DEMO DAY” at Startup Venture Campus Seoul (SVC Seoul) in Mapo-gu, Seoul.

This event was organized to promote a culture of safety at construction sites and encourage the on-site application of innovative safety technologies. A total of 12 companies participated, including startups selected through the “2026 H-Safe Open Innovation Challenge” last March and construction safety innovators identified by Hyundai E&C through its existing open innovation programs, showcasing their technologies and collaboration achievements.

Approximately 150 people attended the event, including Hyundai E&C staff and management, representatives from startup support organizations and construction safety-related institutions such as the Seoul Business Agency, the Seoul Center for Creative Economy & Innovation, and the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology as well as venture capital firms and accelerators. Participants shared innovative technologies and explored avenues for collaboration in the field of construction safety.

The “H-Safe Open Innovation Challenge” is an open innovation program launched for the first time this year by the central government, local governments, and private construction companies to identify innovative companies in the construction safety sector and expand the on-site application of advanced technologies. The program identifies startups with innovative technologies in the construction safety sector such as generative AI, VR/XR, and safety training platforms and supports them in validating their technologies and commercializing their projects. 

On this DEMO DAY, startup IR pitches and presentations on collaboration cases with Hyundai E&C were held, focusing on safety innovation technologies, safety equipment, safety culture, and health and environment. Exhibition booths operated by participating companies were also set up at the venue to showcase innovative technologies and provide opportunities for business meetings between the construction industry and investment institutions.

The participating companies comprised a total of 12 startups: six of the seven startups selected through the “2026 H-Safe Open Innovation Challenge”—▲CRABs ▲MUABE Motion ▲NKIA ▲Construction Partner ▲BYOND R ▲Human & Space - and ▲Gubimeta ▲Sungwoong P&C ▲SAIM ▲C-Tech Solution ▲Sweet & Data ▲Silicon Cube, which were selected through programs such as the Startup Leap Package last year and are currently collaborating with Hyundai E&C.

Notably, at the event, C-Tech Solution and Silicon Cube each presented case studies of their collaboration with Hyundai E&C: the former shared the results of the on-site application of a mobile-based multilingual safety and health training platform, and the latter those of a construction equipment license plate recognition and automated inspection system.

Earlier in January this year, Hyundai E&C signed an MOU with the Seoul Business Agency (SBA), the Seoul Center for Creative Economy & Innovation, and the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology (KICT) to jointly discover innovative construction safety companies and operate an open innovation program. Under the agreement, Hyundai E&C oversees the planning and management of the competition, while the participating organizations are responsible for competition operations, commercialization, and linkage to follow-up support programs, thereby supporting the growth of construction safety startups and their on-site application.

Since 2022, Hyundai E&C has been working to foster an innovation ecosystem in the construction sector by operating various open innovation programs, including startup competitions. Last year, the company selected a total of 48 startups through 15 programs and engaged in various forms of collaboration, including proof of concept (PoC), joint R&D, joint commercialization, and new product development.

An official from Hyundai E&C stated, "This DEMO DAY served as an opportunity to share the results of our collaboration with startups possessing innovative technologies in the construction safety field, and for the construction industry and the startup ecosystem to jointly explore avenues for cooperation,” adding that, “Going forward, we will continue to expand technology verification and on-site application with outstanding startups, thereby contributing to building an innovative construction safety ecosystem and spreading a culture of safety.”