Kyvo, an Exago’s consulting partner, has joined forces with the Korea Innovation Center (KIC) to select Brazilian entrepreneurs for the K-Startup Grand Challenge, South Korea’s most relevant startup acceleration programme. Applications are open until 6 June.

The K-Startup Grand Challenge is supported by Facebook, Adobe and IBM, as well as South Korean giants LG, Hyundai and Samsung and the country’s Science and Technology Ministry. When the challenge was held previously, 140 countries participated. The 50 final winners of the competition will receive investments of up to 166,000 US dollars plus mentorship and training in Seoul.

“We understand that the Brazilian ecosystem supporting SMEs or startups aiming to compete in the global market is very active. Besides, there are several quality startups in the Information, Communication and Technology area,” explains the president of KIC, Heonsoo Rhee. Hilton Menezes, co-founder and strategic designer at Kyvo, adds that Kyvo and KIC are also hoping “to create a meeting point between Brazilian and South Korean companies”.

An Exago partner, Kyvo Design-Driven Innovation is an innovation service provider that employs service design to improve clients’ experiences of services and digital products. Fully complementing Exago’s innovation management solution, Kyvo has created a three-step design process that uses different visual tools to deliver a great experience and relevant results to clients.

Kyvo is responsible in Brazil for Track, the Visa company’s acceleration and incubation programme, and is also the exclusive user of Global Silicon Valley acceleration methods in the country.