CJ CheilJedang, the global food and bio company,
in collaboration with Korea Agriculture Technology Promotion Agency,
Seoul Business Agency, and the global accelerator SparkLabs,
is looking for startups at the frontier of innovation that
will revolutionize the agrifood industry.
Application Period for 3rd Batch
2/20(MON) ~ 3/10(FRI) 18:00 KST

CJ CheilJedang, the global food and bio company, in collaboration with Korea Agriculture Technology Promotion Agency, Seoul Business Agency, and the global accelerator SparkLabs, is looking for startups at the frontier of innovation that will revolutionize the agrifood industry.
Application Period for 3rd Batch
2/20(MON) ~ 3/10(FRI) 18:00 KST
Program Overview

Frontier Labs is a joint program between CJ CheilJedang (the global food and bio company), SparkLabs (the global startup accelerator), and the Korea Agriculture Technology Promotion Agency. The program seeks to identify and support the next generation of startups with the potential to lead and innovate the food, environment and lifestyle industries.

During the 6-month-long program, the selected startup will be granted the opportunity to collaborate with any of CJ CheilJedang’s divisions and business affiliates, and to utilize CJ’s local and global infrastructure. The selected startup will also be granted priority review for a follow-on investment following the program’s Demo Day. In addition, program participants will have the opportunity to interact and synergize with Frontier Labs’ alumni as well as hundreds of portfolio companies from SparkLabs.

Special benefits from this year’s program include added consideration from the Korea Agriculture Technology Promotion Agency for its agri-food startup support programs, and grants from the Seoul Business Agency to support business growth.

Frontier Labs began in 2021, and 7 companies across 2 batches have participated in the program.



Batch 1
Batch 2


Looking for startups

At the frontier of innovating the food industry



Taste & Wellness

Possess products, technologies, or brands that aspire to globalize Korean taste or provide healthy options

Ex) Global K-Foods (traditional drinks, sauce/seasoning, etc.), “Better For You” brands and technologies, etc.




Sustainability

Possess technology that will create a sustainable culture around food and consumption

Ex) Alternative products (protein, ingredients, etc.), up-/re-cycling products and technologies




Food Tech

Possess innovative technology that will lead the food and lifestyle industries

Ex) Agri-tech, smart farms, smart packaging for food safety, smart cooking, food-related AI/big data, digital healthcare, etc.




Program Benefits

With an initial investment and the accelerating program as the foundation, the program is designed to help startups improve their potential to receive follow-on investment



- Initial investment
(up to 300M KRW),
4-month accelerating period and Demo Day
- Fast track consideration for follow-on investment
(up to 300M KRW)
Partner with a division of
CJ to pursue business cooperation
Mentoring sessions on IR/BM & priority screening for the flagship accelerator program

Receive added consideration for government-led startup support programs

Additional business subsidies and office space provided (up to 5M KRW)

* For startups located outside of Seoul, subsidies will be provided if the startup is accepted to the “Cooperation with Conglomerates Zone” at the Seoul Startup Hub in Gongdeok




- Initial investment (up to 300M KRW),
4-month accelerating period
and Demo Day

- Fast track consideration for follow-on investment (up to 300M KRW)
Partner with a division of CJ
to pursue business cooperation
Mentoring sessions on IR/BM
& priority screening for the flagship
accelerator program
Receive added consideration
for government-led startup
support programs

Additional business subsidies and office space provided (up to 5M KRW)

* For startups located outside of Seoul, subsidies will be provided if the startup is accepted to the “Cooperation with Conglomerates Zone” at the Seoul Startup Hub in Gongdeok




Program Schedule Highlights

 

Main Processes



Screening and Selection

Feb. 20th ~ Apr. 3rd



Initial Analysis of the Business and Initial Investment

Apr ~ Sep



Mentoring Sessions and Cooperation with CJ CheilJedang Division/Affiliates

Apr ~ Sep



Demo Day

3rd Week of Sep (Expected)



Review by CJ CheilJedang for Follow-on Investment


Screening and Selection
(Feb. 20th ~ Apr. 3rd)
Initial Analysis of the Business and Initial Investment
(Apr ~ Sep)
Mentoring Sessions and Cooperation with CJ CheilJedang Division/Affiliates
(Apr ~ Sep)
Demo Day
(3rd Week of Sep (Expected))
Review by CJ CheilJedang for Follow-on Investment




Application Process

Application Open 2/20 ~ 3/10
Document Screening 3/13 ~ 3/17
1st IR Presentation 3/20 ~ 3/24
2nd IR Presentation 3/27 ~ 3/31
Final Announcement 1st week of April
Documents To Be Submitted

 

  • (Required) Business Plan that includes a brief overview of the company and business (PDF files; no other specified format)
  • Please freely propose ideas for cooperation with CJ CheilJedang
  • Company Documents: Intro of the founder/company, answers to follow-up questions, supporting documents, etc.
FRONTIER LABS - Frontier Labs 3rd Batch