CJ CheilJedang announced on the 14th that it is recruiting for the sixth cohort of its open innovation program, “FRONTIER LABS.”

FRONTIER LABS is a program that identifies, invests in, and nurtures agrifood startups with innovative technologies and ideas. Recruitment fields include ▲AI and robotics technologies linked to food ▲next-generation K-food emerging brands ▲food distribution and marketing platforms ▲smart manufacturing and production innovation ▲alternative foods and sustainable materials. In addition, any business area capable of creating new value, such as ESG and climate tech, is eligible to apply.

Selected startups will receive up to KRW 300 million in investment per company, as well as close support including collaboration opportunities with CJ CheilJedang business units, business proof-of-concept support, mentoring, and follow-on investment. Additional investment will be considered based on performance. The application period runs until May 5.

Since launching its Venture Investment team in 2021, CJ CheilJedang has operated FRONTIER LABS through the fifth cohort and is collaborating with a total of 19 startups. A representative example is “GoPizza,” a single-serving pizza specialty brand.

Starting this year, the company has built the “FRONTIER LABS Alliance,” a collaboration network with a total of 15 agrifood-focused investment firms and institutions. In particular, Mark&Company, a specialized accelerator (AC), is participating as a co-operating partner. The Korea Agency of Education, Promotion and Information Service in Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (EPIS), which has collaborated since the first cohort, will continue to play a partner role by providing business proof-of-concept funding, while CJ Investment plans to participate again as a specialized corporate venture capital (CVC) following the fifth cohort and to consider additional investment in selected companies.

Lee Hee-jun, Head of Venture Investment at CJ CheilJedang, said, “FRONTIER LABS has established itself as a core platform that, together with professional investment and incubation institutions, proactively discovers promising startups and revitalizes the Korean food-tech ecosystem,” adding, “Going forward, CJ CheilJedang will provide comprehensive support through a systematic incubation program so that innovative startups with differentiated ideas can build global competitiveness and lead the future food industry.”

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