Three companies receive innovation awards from KGCCI

Three companies — Kakao Enterprise, dSPACE Korea and Henkel Korea — received awards for innovations in business, digitalization and sustainability during the 7th Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI) Innovation Awards held on Thursday.

The Innovation in Business Award went to Kakao Enterprise for its all-in-one Kakao Work work platform. Kakao Work was launched in December last year as a messenger app specially designed to suit the workplace. It provides office tools and services in a cloud network.

dSPACE Korea, the Korean branch of the German electronic control tool manufacturer, was recognized for effectively digitalizing its Automotive Radar Test System (Darts). Darts is a radar target simulator for testing radar sensors in civilian vehicles and is seen as convenient and effective by its customers.

Henkel Korea was honored for the company’s efforts in sustainable growth and management, especially for the energy-saving building structures at its plant in Songdo, Incheon.

Candidate screening and evaluation was based on: degree of innovation; being proven in the market; influence on the company; and benefit to society.

The awards ceremony was held at the JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul hotel in central Seoul. A keynote speech was given by Christian Mühlroth, CEO of software and consulting company ITONICS.

As an expert in incorporating information technologies with business needs, Mühlroth shared the importance of enhancing human capabilities in a world where artificial intelligence (AI) technologies grow fast, during his speech titled “Will an AI be the better innovator for the future?”

In a session dubbed the “KGCCI Startup Prize,” three German start-up companies — Dyemansion, Proglove and Magment — pitched their ideas for the Korean market, and on-site attendees voted for the best one.

“The Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry will actively strive to make the innovative works of the winners widely known in Korea and Germany,” said Martin Henkelmann, president and CEO of the KGCCI.

BY YOON SO-YEON [yoon.soyeon@joongang.co.kr]