SK telecom sets new goal to support 500 startups by 2030

By Maekyung News Service

SK telecom is making partnerships with startups a key growth strategy for the artificial intelligence era, combining their technologies and ideas with its AI, infrastructure and marketing capabilities.

SK telecom CEO Jung Jai-hun met with the heads of eight startups at SKT Tower in central Seoul on Wednesday to hear about challenges they face and discuss ways to strengthen cooperation.

Participants included four startups that attended the 4YFN exhibition at MWC 2026 in Barcelona with support from SK telecom and four companies currently collaborating with the carrier on AI projects.

The eight companies were Metsakuur Company, Coxwave, KONEKSI, Stress Solution, Sierra BASE, DevAll Company, AIM Intelligence and mpWAV.

Their technologies cover facial recognition-based identity verification, AI model evaluation, decentralized data security, mental health care, autonomous drones, accounts receivable management, AI security and voice signal enhancement.

At the center of SK telecom’s startup strategy is SKTCH, an open collaboration platform that supports the entire process from finding and matching potential partners to technology testing and proof-of-concept projects.

SKTCH operates around two accelerator programs. SKTCH for Good identifies and supports startups focused on environmental, social and governance values, while SKTCH with AI develops companies aligned with SK telecom’s strategic priorities and connects them with business collaboration opportunities.

Support includes expert mentoring and technology validation, identifying collaboration opportunities, improving business models, participating in domestic and overseas exhibitions and attracting investment.

The program has already produced commercial results. Hudson AI, which develops AI dubbing technology for media content, struggled to enter the market after its founding in 2022 because AI dubbing had rarely been applied to broadcasting and other content.

Its collaboration with SK telecom led to its technology being used to dub films for SK Broadband, providing a foundation for partnerships with other media companies.

SK telecom has identified and supported startups since 2013 and upgraded its programs this year to strengthen partnerships. It has supported 528 startups to date, with a combined enterprise value of 20 trillion won ($14.61 billion).

The company has set a new goal of supporting 500 innovative companies through 2030.

“Startups are important partners that will create new business opportunities and success stories with SK telecom in the AI era,” Jung said. “We will continue listening to voices from the field and expand cooperation that generates tangible growth by connecting our respective strengths.”

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