KaKao

- Kakao Group signs MOU with four leading science and technology institutes; KRW 50 billion AI fund to support regional AI system

- Targets discovery of 100 globally competitive AI startups by 2030, through field and problem-solving talent development

 

[March 23, 2026] Kakao Group (Chair Shina Chung), together with four major science and technology institutes—KAIST, GIST, DGIST, and UNIST—will establish “Kakao AI Sail,” a new initiative dedicated to fostering regional AI talent and enterprises.

 

On March 23, Kakao Group announced that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the four institutes at KAIST’s Academic Cultural Complex in Daejeon, in the presence of Minister of Science and ICT Bae Kyung-hoon Bae, to promote AI talent development.

 

This agreement marks the first major step in launching Kakao Group’s KRW 50 billion AI development fund announced in September 2025, with a focus on nurturing regional AI talent and supporting startup businesses. It also aligns with the “AX Strategy of the Four Science and Technology Institutes for Regional Talent Development and AI Transformation Innovation,” announced by the Ministry of Science and ICT at the 5th Ministerial Meeting on Science and Technology on March 11.

 

“Kakao AI Sail,” the newly established initiative, aims to build AI ecosystems and accelerate industrialization in non-capital regions that have been relatively underserved in terms of AI investment and infrastructure. In particular, it will actively support the global expansion of regional AI companies. The name reflects the vision of a sail catching the wind to propel a ship into the open sea—symbolizing support for upcoming AI talent and companies to overcome regional limitations and advance into global markets.

 

Key initiatives under “Kakao AI Sail” include fostering hands-on AI talent centered around science and technology institutes, supporting startups by matching Kakao’s human and technological resources, and promoting AI transformation (AX) through industry-academia collaboration focused on solving region-specific challenges. Through these efforts, Kakao plans to establish a virtuous cycle model for balanced regional growth powered by AI.

 

In particular, the initiative aims to identify 100 AI startup teams by 2030 and nurture them into globally competitive, innovative companies. It will support the commercialization of deep-tech capabilities held by the four institutes and actively encourage hands-on, problem-solving talent to pursue entrepreneurship.

 

Shina Chung, Chair of Kakao Group, stated, “With the advent of the AI era, even a one-person company now has the opportunity to rapidly grow into a global unicorn. Kakao Group will serve as a strong sail to help AI innovators from regional areas expand onto the global stage.” (E.O.D)