Startup Spotlight: Kakao and MS Korea launch competition harnessing Generative AI potential

Technology giants Kakao Ventures and Microsoft Korea are searching for innovators with their new GenAI Startupthon competition. Beginning applications now through March 22nd 2024, this challenge invites developers and early-stage startups to craft service prototypes utilizing the powerful but untapped possibilities of generative AI.

Participants will be immersed in Azure’s generative AI tools and training. Through a March 30th workshop on prompt engineering strategies, competitors will gain insights on directing models towards socially beneficial applications. Armed with this expertise, teams then have 18 days to design and demo a working product harnessing generative AI.

Creativity, commercial viability and technical execution will be assessed for winners on April 18th. Beyond a 10 million won grand prize, exposure to investors could mean the beginning of a thriving business. With Azure credits also provided, the sole barrier to participation is imagination.

Kakao Ventures and MS Korea are investing in Korea’s future – one defined by responsible, people-centered progress. Their GenAI Startupthon sheds light on a technology poised to automate tasks while augmenting human potential. The question remains: what problems will the innovators solve, and what new realities will they bring to life?

Stay tuned as a new generation of startups takes shape at this intersection of opportunity and responsibility.