In an effort to secure global competitiveness, artificial intelligence (AI) companies in the Gwangju region are venturing into Silicon Valley.

On the 8th, Gwangju Metropolitan City held the "Silicon Valley Investment Attraction Team Launch Ceremony" at the City Hall Business Room, attended by Mayor Lee Yong-seop and AI company representatives. Since 2020, the city has selected and provided specialized investment attraction education for 20 promising local AI companies to enhance their global competitiveness.

Moreover, during the Silicon Valley online investment briefing held on August 31st, six companies were selected to participate in the "Silicon Valley Investment Attraction Team" to support the entry of outstanding local AI companies into Silicon Valley.

The investment attraction team consists of companies such as AgileSoda, Hogreen Air, INFlow, LittleOne, Namdogumhyung, and IndieJ, and they will engage in investment attraction activities in Silicon Valley from the 10th, spanning a 4-night, 6-day schedule.

These companies have participated in support programs such as overseas networking strategies, investment attraction (IR) capability enhancement training, IR pitch decks, and mentoring directly linked with global venture capitalists. They have been preparing for the entry into Silicon Valley, aiming to discover global business models and realize investment attraction.

Locally in Silicon Valley, meetings with pre-matched investors and local companies based on corporate demand will take place.

In particular, AgileSoda, a specialized AI company for businesses, led by CEO Choi Dae-woo, has its 'AI Suite' composed of software groups that support optimal decision-making based on reinforcement learning.

AgileSoda CEO Choi Dae-woo stated, "AI-based digital transformation is a global trend and a prerequisite for a company's future competitiveness," expressing participation in the project for exploring new business opportunities during challenging times and expanding AI business globally following the footsteps of Japan.

Hogreen Air, a specialized company in long-endurance multi-purpose autonomous flight drones equipped with AI, led by CEO Hong Sung-ho, is expecting substantial results through partnerships with local drone companies based on a cooperation network established in 2019.

Gwangju Techno Park, which has been promoting the Silicon Valley network construction project since 2019, is planning to sign a business agreement with Silicon Valley KOTRA Trade Office during this period to expand cooperation for supporting companies and attracting investments.

LittleOne CEO Lee Byung-gyu, expressing aspirations to succeed with his technology in Silicon Valley, stated, "I want to confidently explain and be recognized for our technology in the global market."

Mayor Lee Yong-seop remarked, "As innovative companies that explore new paths in Gwangju, where young people with imagination and ideas are coming to build successful AI startup careers, the realization of Gwangju as an AI-centric city will accelerate even further," expressing hopes for the Silicon Valley Investment Attraction Team to become a strong growth axis for Gwangju's development and to open the doors widely to the global market, leading many local companies.