LG Nova Incubator Announces First Shortlisted Startups

LG Nova: Fostering Innovation Through Startup Collaboration

LG, the South Korean technology conglomerate, is a diversified manufacturer of products ranging from televisions and appliances to a vast array of other technologies. Given this broad scope, a strong commitment to innovation is expected. LG Nova represents the company’s relatively recent North American Innovation Center, dedicated to exploring new opportunities.

A Hub in Silicon Valley

Located in Santa Clara, California, within Silicon Valley, LG Nova functions as a business unit focused on collaborating with startups. This collaboration aims to advance LG’s objectives in key areas of growth and development.

Startup Selection at CES

During the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, LG unveiled the initial group of companies selected for partnership with the technology leader. These startups share common characteristics, reflecting LG’s strategic focus areas for innovation.

Connecting the Ecosystem

LG Nova strives to be a central point within the startup ecosystem. It seeks to integrate startups with LG’s existing strengths, including its investor network, relationships with major technology companies and academic institutions, the entrepreneurial community, and LG’s established sales and marketing infrastructure.

The Mission for the Future Challenge

The Mission for the Future challenge serves as LG Nova’s primary program for identifying promising entrepreneurs and startups. This nine-month annual program aims to discover innovative ideas and businesses that will enhance quality of life through smarter, healthier, and more connected solutions.

Focus Area: Connected Health

A primary theme for LG Nova is connected health, with a specific emphasis on expanding healthcare solutions to address wellness needs in various settings. XR Health, offering virtual reality telehealth treatment rooms, and Maya MD, a digital AI health assistant utilizing LG televisions to promote health conversations, were among the first companies shortlisted.

Exploring the Metaverse

The metaverse represents a second key area of interest for LG Nova, involving exploration of novel human-machine interactions. iQ3, developing metaverse-based product training applications, and I3M, creating hyper-realistic virtual travel experiences, were also selected.

Energizing Mobility: Sustainable Transportation

LG’s innovation efforts also encompass sustainable mobility, termed Energizing Mobility by the company. SparkCharge is developing mobile EV charging solutions with a focus on sustainability, while Driivz is creating an operating system for managing electric vehicle charging.

Smart Lifestyles and the Connected Home

The final component of LG Nova’s innovation strategy centers on Smart Lifestyles, essentially representing advancements in smart home technology. EveryKey, a universal smart-key solution for cars, phones, and doors, and A.kin AI, integrating virtual assistant technology into LG hardware, were chosen. Chefling, a meal planning and cooking solution catering to dietary needs, completes this group.

Gaining Insight into LG Nova’s Vision

These selected startups provide insight into the types of innovations LG Nova is prioritizing. Applications for the next program cycle will open later this year. Discussions with the program leader at CES revealed further details about LG’s objectives, the program’s collaborative approach, and the criteria used by the selection committee.