EV Open
Innovation
Challenge
A launchpad for commercial-ready EV charging products and services to rapidly scale in North America
A launchpad for commercial-ready EV charging products and services to rapidly scale in North America
We want to work with you to rapidly scale EV charging services in North America.
The EV Open Innovation Challenge is a program powered by New Energy Nexus to source startups of commercial-ready EV charging products and services to enter into pilot or proof-of-concept projects with industry champions Kia, Hyundai Motor, Hyundai Glovis US and Hyundai CRADLE. This program is a launchpad to rapidly scale the product offering in North America.
At Hyundai Motor and Kia, our team is working nonstop to embrace a bright future in electrified mobility. We are committed to launch 23 pure EV models and invest $7.4 billion in the US EV industry by 2025. We are thrilled to partner with the startup community to build that future, together.
We are here to support your team. We’ve got your back and here’s why.
Connections That Matter
Access to two leading EV companies who are willing to partner with you every step of the way – from research and development to open innovation and business operations
Launchpad for Mass Market
Pilots demonstrate market success potential would have access to Hyundai Motor and Kia’s massive and growing consumer markets. It also could have broad applications across customers in the North American charging network
Paid Pilot Opportunity
Roll out your pilot project at no cost to you. Receive validation of your technology from Hyundai Motor and Kia – companies with data, infrastructure, and mass customer base
Partnerships
Potential for strategic partnerships and follow-on investment opportunities
Bi-directional Charging
Smart Charging
Robotics
Infrastructure
In-Car Payment
Service While Plugged In
Gig Economy
New Tech
Battery Management System
Companies with commercial-ready EV charging products and services that are ready to scale in North America.
Open Innovation
Manager
Hyundai Motor
Open Innovation
Manager
Kia Motor
Open Innovation
Project Manager
Hyundai CRADLE
Open Innovation
Project Manager
Hyundai CRADLE
Director,
Corporate Planning
Hyundai Motor
America
Manager, Long Range Planning & Strategy
Kia America
Manager,
Strategic Initiatives
Hyundai GLOVIS
Program Director
We expect that at least four finalists will be invited to enter a paid pilot project with Kia, Hyundai Motor, and/or Hyundai Glovis US. In the unlikely event that there are less than four applicants that meet the minimum scoring criteria The EV Open Innovation Challenge reserves the right to select fewer finalists. After interviews are conducted, the judges will select at least four finalists to move onto paid pilot projects based on the discussions and pitches during interviews. However, if technologies or business models of startups do not meet our expectation, less than four finalists might be selected.
Hyundai Motor, Kia, and Hyundai Glovis US will be reviewing the applications and selecting the finalists. New Energy Nexus will facilitate the process and conduct due diligence.
New Energy Nexus is the implementation partners for the EV Open Innovation Challenge. More information can be found here.
The application window opens on September 27, 2021 and closes on November 19, 2021 (Pacific Time, extended from November 8).
To apply, your product or service must be commercial-ready to scale in North America. The pilot projects will be an opportunity to test your product or service and form strategic partnerships.
If you are selected for an interview, an NDA will be signed before the interview.
Yes. We encourage all companies or teams who see value in partnering with Hyundai Motor, Kia Motor, and Electrify America to apply. Please highlight why you are applying even though you may not at the core of the targeted group of startups.
The terms and conditions can be found here.
Yes, once the application window closes, we will shortlist and contact the applicants to arrange a video interview.
Yes, all of the files requested on the application will be reviewed and required for a complete submission.
Participants in The EV Open Innovation Challenge are generally expected to be interested in future investment from Hyundai Motor or Kia Motor as well as collaboration and partnership on the finalists’ commercialization pathway should Hyundai Motor or Kia be interested. While the proof of concept or pilot project is not legally contingent on future investment with Hyundai Motor or Kia we encourage you to explain in your application why you are interested in participation in The EV Open Innovation Challenge but face challenges or obstacles in accepting investment from Hyundai Motor or Kia. Such up-front transparency will ensure that there is no perception of bad faith on part of the participant later in the process.
No, the four finalists are not guaranteed investments from Hyundai Motor or Kia.
The size of the pilot budget will be determined case by case. Hyundai Motor Group is willing to sponsor $50,000 to $200,000 for a pilot project.
We will notify you by email if you have made it to the interview shortlist around the middle of December. Finalist selection will be conducted around January 2022.
Interviews and pilot workshop will be help virtually.
For any additional questions, please contact us at hello@evopeninnovation.com. We will do our best to reply within 24 hours.
We expect that at least four finalists will be invited to enter a paid pilot project with Kia, Hyundai Motor, and/or Hyundai Glovis US. In the unlikely event that there are less than four applicants that meet the minimum scoring criteria The EV Open Innovation Challenge reserves the right to select fewer finalists. After interviews are conducted, the judges will select at least four finalists to move onto paid pilot projects based on the discussions and pitches during interviews. However, if technologies or business models of startups do not meet our expectation, less than four finalists might be selected.
Hyundai Motor, Kia, and Hyundai Glovis US will be reviewing the applications and selecting the finalists. New Energy Nexus will facilitate the process and conduct due diligence.
New Energy Nexus is the implementation partners for the EV Open Innovation Challenge. More information can be found here.
The application window opens on September 27, 2021 and closes on November 19, 2021 (Pacific Time, extended from November 8).
To apply, your product or service must be commercial-ready to scale in North America. The pilot projects will be an opportunity to test your product or service and form strategic partnerships.
If you are selected for an interview, an NDA will be signed before the interview.
Yes. We encourage all companies or teams who see value in partnering with Hyundai Motor, Kia Motor, and Electrify America to apply. Please highlight why you are applying even though you may not at the core of the targeted group of startups.
The terms and conditions can be found here.
Yes, once the application window closes, we will shortlist and contact the applicants to arrange a video interview.
Yes, all of the files requested on the application will be reviewed and required for a complete submission.
Participants in The EV Open Innovation Challenge are generally expected to be interested in future investment from Hyundai Motor or Kia Motor as well as collaboration and partnership on the finalists’ commercialization pathway should Hyundai Motor or Kia be interested. While the proof of concept or pilot project is not legally contingent on future investment with Hyundai Motor or Kia we encourage you to explain in your application why you are interested in participation in The EV Open Innovation Challenge but face challenges or obstacles in accepting investment from Hyundai Motor or Kia. Such up-front transparency will ensure that there is no perception of bad faith on part of the participant later in the process.
No, the four finalists are not guaranteed investments from Hyundai Motor or Kia.
The size of the pilot budget will be determined case by case. Hyundai Motor Group is willing to sponsor $50,000 to $200,000 for a pilot project.
We will notify you by email if you have made it to the interview shortlist around the middle of December. Finalist selection will be conducted around January 2022.
Interviews and pilot workshop will be help virtually.
For any additional questions, please contact us at hello@evopeninnovation.com. We will do our best to reply within 24 hours.