LG Uplus has begun making strategic investments in early-stage AI startups in Korea with strong technical capabilities, marking a full-scale effort to build an AI collaboration ecosystem between large enterprises and startups. Rather than simply offering support, LG Uplus aims to form meaningful partnerships and grow alongside these startups.

In collaboration with deep-tech accelerator Bluepoint Partners, LG Uplus has established a dedicated fund worth KRW 5 billion (approximately USD 3.6 million). Through this fund, the company will invest in four promising AI startups.

This initiative is part of LG Uplus’s AI open innovation program, “shift,” which was launched last year. The goal of the program is to discover high-potential early-stage startups in future AI technologies and support their growth through technical and business collaboration, along with direct investment. The broader vision is to jointly drive innovation in the AI ecosystem.

More than just financial backing, LG Uplus plans to provide end-to-end support. Its internal technical and business teams will actively collaborate with the selected startups throughout the process—from proof-of-concept (PoC) and technology integration to commercialization.

The four startups selected for investment are: Fairy, Lemong, Technometrics, and AIM Intelligence. All of them were chosen through the first cohort of the “shift” program, which began in October last year.

Fairy, founded by former Google AI experts, is developing real-time user data extraction technology for AI agents. Lemong offers integrated AI solutions for sales and marketing optimization targeted at small business owners (SOHO). Technometrics provides a solution that automates AI model retraining to ensure long-term model performance. AIM Intelligence is developing a security solution that detects and blocks vulnerabilities in generative AI systems in real time.

LG Uplus will support these startups in carrying out PoC projects in partnership with its internal technical and business units. It will also provide funding and technical resources for research and development. The company highlights the significance of enabling startups to achieve real business outcomes through close collaboration with internal teams.

Previously, LG Uplus hosted a performance-sharing event, “shift up Day,” at its Yongsan headquarters to review the progress of the first cohort. During the event, the selected startups presented the results of their PoC projects with LG Uplus and shared insights into their technical validation processes and commercialization potential. The event was attended by LG Uplus CEO Hong Bum-shik, key executives including the CTO and CSO, Bluepoint Partners’ leadership, the CEOs of the four startups, and relevant staff members.

Looking ahead, LG Uplus plans to develop “shift” into an open innovation platform that connects promising startups with government agencies, large corporations, and global partners. Recruitment for the second cohort of the “shift” program will officially begin on the 10th.

Kim Ji-hoon, Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) of LG Uplus, stated, “We plan to provide comprehensive support for the critical elements needed in a startup’s growth journey by focusing our AI infrastructure and business capabilities. Our goal is to help domestic AI startups grow into globally competitive companies. LG Uplus will continue evolving the ‘shift’ program in collaboration with various ecosystem stakeholders and contribute to the broader development of the AI industry.”