With demand for Electric Vehicles (EV) growing, Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, and LG Chem are jointly sponsoring the EV & Battery Challenge, a global competition to identify up to 10 EV and battery start-ups for potential investment and collaboration. New Energy Nexus, international start-up support organisation, is taking responsibility for managing and facilitating the competition.

The chosen start-ups will have the opportunity to work hand-in-hand with Hyundai, Kia, and LG Chem to develop proof-of-concept projects while leveraging the sponsors' technical expertise, resources and laboratories. Start-ups that have working prototypes and are building technologies in EV charging and fleet management, power electronics and components, personalisation services and battery management, systems, materials, recycling and manufacturing are strongly encouraged to participate. They can apply here from 22 June to 28 August 2020.

Applicants that pass the first review on business feasibility and technology will go through virtual interviews in October. Then, the finalists will attend a two-day workshop in November at the Hyundai CRADLE Silicon Valley office, the hub for Hyundai Motor Group's open innovation in the U.S.A. There, Hyundai, Kia, and LG Chem will be verifying the innovative technologies of the applicants.