HP has officially launched its startup incubation program, “Garage 2.0,” in South Korea. The initiative aims to nurture AI startups, support their global expansion, and strengthen collaboration with HP's global business network.
At a roundtable event held on May 21 in Pangyo, Gyeonggi Province--the heart of Korea's tech hub--HP announced the domestic debut of the platform. Garage 2.0 is a collaborative platform where startups co-develop market-ready solutions with HP, leveraging the company's technological expertise. The name pays homage to HP's legendary 1939 origin in a Silicon Valley garage.
The program is part of AroundX, a global cooperation initiative led by South Korea's Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development (KISED). HP's decision to choose Korea as the second location for Garage 2.0, following Singapore, underscores the country's strategic importance as a leader in digital infrastructure and rapidly growing startup ecosystem.
“Korea is a global technology powerhouse that is proactively establishing large-scale funds to secure AI competitiveness,” said David McQuarrie, HP's Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). “The Garage 2.0 program will serve as an opportunity to further strengthen Korea's leadership in advanced technology sectors.”
Unlike traditional mentoring-focused programs, Garage 2.0 emphasizes both technical development and commercialization at the same time. Participating startups will work directly with HP's engineering, product, and business operations teams to co-create solutions based on real-world customer needs and formulate market entry strategies.
HP has selected an initial cohort of five AI startups: Nexpot Solution, Jigu Korea, The Sunhan, Electro Cookie, and Hokma Labs. These companies were selected for their strong fit with HP's hardware and software ecosystem. HP plans to select an additional five startups in the second half of the year, bringing the total to ten.
HP's ultimate goal is to generate tangible business results through these partnerships. By collaborating with Korean innovators, the company expects to accelerate the commercialization of AI technologies and enhance its own market competitiveness.
“We are focusing on developing AI technologies that will redefine the future of the workspace,” said Kim Dae-hwan, Managing Director of HP Korea. “We look forward to exploring new opportunities with AI startups and expanding our cooperation within this innovative ecosystem.”
