KT (030200.KS) said Thursday it has launched an open call for its open innovation program "K-PATH 2026" to discover artificial intelligence (AI) startups that will jointly pursue customer AX innovation.
K-PATH is KT's AI startup discovery program, which nurtures startups with AI capabilities as AX business partners and expands various commercialization opportunities by carrying out joint projects.
The program began in 2024 as "KPAS (Korea Promising AI Startups)" and has discovered promising companies including Allganize, Enhans, Langcode and Selectstar. This year, KT has changed the name to "K-PATH" to reflect the meaning of building a path of growth together with promising AI companies.
In this open call, KT is recruiting domestic AI startups with capabilities in core AX technology fields, including AI agent platforms and enterprise AI, data and data for AI, physical AI and robotics, and AI infrastructure and foundation models. Companies pursuing AI innovation across various industries such as finance, manufacturing, education and the public sector are also eligible for selection.
Selected companies will join KT's AX business partner platform, where they will collaborate with various business units to explore joint business opportunities and carry out actual customer projects.
KT plans to offer a wide range of growth programs, including joint PoC (proof of concept) and R&D linkage, joint GTM (go-to-market) initiatives and customer discovery, investment linkage, networking opportunities between ventures and large corporations, and support for participation in domestic and international exhibitions and conferences.
Applications for K-PATH 2026 will be accepted through July 12 on the official website. After document screening and presentation evaluation, the final selected companies will be announced in early August. Up to 20 companies will be selected.
"K-PATH is more than just a startup support program; it is a platform to discover key partners who will build KT's future AX business together," said Park Sang-won, head of KT's AX Business Division. "Through solid cooperation with innovative AI startups, we will accelerate customers' AX innovation and create new business opportunities."
