CJ CheilJedang has completed the selection of participants for the sixth cohort of its open innovation program "Frontier Labs" and is expanding its collaboration with food-tech startups. This year, the largest number of startups since the program's launch applied, and the company has broadened its support to include global proof-of-concept (PoC), moving to help companies enter overseas markets.
CJ CheilJedang said on the 5th that it had made its final selection of four startups to participate in the sixth Frontier Labs cohort. Frontier Labs is an open innovation program that identifies promising startups in the agri-food sector with potential business ties to CJ CheilJedang and supports them with investment and development. Since its launch in 2021, the program has collaborated with 19 companies, supporting their commercialization and investment linkages.
Around 260 startups applied for this round, marking the highest competition rate to date. The company explained that participation surged among firms seeking to combine the food industry with distribution and logistics, artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics technology, amid the continued global growth of K-food.
The four finalists are "Mr. Appa," a direct-trade platform for fresh food ingredients; "Humeal," which develops business-to-business (B2B) food ingredients for blood-sugar management; "Bad Carrot," which operates the vegan restaurant "Gosari Express"; and "Neubility," a physical AI company based on autonomous driving. The lineup spans the entire food value chain, from food distribution and functional ingredients to dining and robotics.
The selected companies began the program last month with a workshop held with CJ CheilJedang business units. Over the next six months, they will carry out PoC jointly with working-level departments, receive mentoring from field-specific experts and establish three-year growth strategies. Depending on business performance, they will also be offered follow-on investment and joint business opportunities.
In particular, starting this year, the scope of collaboration is being expanded beyond domestic business to global operations. The company plans to newly pursue PoC in connection with its overseas business departments, increasing opportunities for startups to verify their technology and business viability in overseas markets.
Frontier Labs is jointly operated by CJ CheilJedang's Venture Investment Team, CJ Investment and Mark & Company. Selected companies are provided with up to 300 million won in investment, along with growth support programs including mentoring and follow-on investment reviews. This year, the company also launched the "Frontier Labs Alliance," involving 15 agri-food-focused investment firms and institutions, strengthening its investment and business cooperation network. In the second half of the year, it plans to establish a foundation for co-investment with global investment firms.
Lee Hee-jun, head of CJ CheilJedang's Venture Investment Team, said, "Frontier Labs is evolving beyond a simple investment program into a startup growth platform that connects business proof-of-concept through to commercialization. We will create new growth opportunities in the global food industry together with companies that possess innovative technologies."
