Korea Polar Research Institute selects 10 startups for data commercialization

The Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI) and accelerator Colls Dynamics have selected 10 startups for the ‘2026 Polar Data Convergence Scale-up’ program. The initiative aims to transform polar observation and research data into commercial value by integrating it with private sector technologies.

The selected companies represent a diverse range of industries, including maritime, climate, safety, bio-materials, and consumer goods. In the maritime and safety sectors, companies such as Tooz, Maat, and Zelkun will work on AI-driven ship maintenance, safety management models using Antarctic weather data, and sea ice navigation simulators.

In the climate and energy sectors, DevFive, Deep Earth, and Neosol will focus on sea ice mapping services, deep learning weather forecasting, and testing the durability of hybrid power systems in extreme cold. The program also extends into lifestyle industries, with Engtin exploring functional cosmetics from polar microbial DNA, Square Food Lab testing ice-binding proteins for food texture, and Incheon Brewing developing fermented beverages using polar yeast.