Hyundai Motor Group Launches ZER01NE Fund III to Drive Innovation in Intelligent Automation and Industrial Technologies
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA — Hyundai Motor Group (the Group) today announced the launch of ZER01NE Fund III, a KRW 125 billion strategic investment fund designed to accelerate breakthroughs in intelligent automation, industrial automation, and cutting-edge automation equipment. The fund will target early-stage startups worldwide developing transformative technologies in AI, robotics, cybersecurity, hydrogen, and energy systems, with a focus on fostering synergies between innovative ventures and the Group’s global industrial ecosystem.
Strategic Focus on Automation-Driven Innovation
ZER01NE Fund III represents a 1.5-fold increase in investment scale from its predecessor, ZER01NE Fund II, and is backed by 10 Group affiliates, including Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation, and Hyundai MOBIS. The fund’s core mission is to identify startups whose technologies align with the Group’s vision for a “Mobility of Things” future—particularly in areas where intelligent automation and industrial automation can redefine manufacturing, logistics, and energy management.
“With ZER01NE Fund III, we aim to deepen our leadership in automation and sustainability by partnering with startups that share our commitment to technological disruption,” said Kyuseung Keith Noh, Vice President and Head of ZER01NE Group. “By investing in automation equipment innovators and AI-driven solutions, we can accelerate the development of smarter factories, cleaner energy systems, and next-generation mobility technologies.”
Building on a Legacy of Automation-Driven Success
The new fund builds on the achievements of its predecessors. ZER01NE Fund I and II collectively invested in over 105 startups, facilitating more than 200 collaborative projects across the Group. Notable portfolio companies include:
- Clobot: A provider of cloud-based robot management platforms, whose automation equipmentsolutions for logistics and healthcare leverage autonomous navigation and intelligent automation to optimize operations.
- MakinaRocks: An AI startup specializing in industrial process optimization, using machine learning to predict equipment failures and enhance industrial automationefficiency for manufacturing clients.
- Holiday Robotics: Developer of humanoid robots with dexterous manipulation capabilities, integrating large language models (LLMs) and computer vision to advance automation equipmentin assembly and service sectors.
ZER01NE Fund II’s portfolio highlights include 60Hertz, which uses AI to manage distributed renewable energy assets, and LD Carbon, a circular economy leader recycling tires into eco-materials—both exemplifying how intelligent automation and sustainable technologies can drive industrial transformation.
Expanding Frontiers in Automation and Sustainability
ZER01NE Fund III will prioritize startups addressing key industry challenges, such as:
- Intelligent Automation in Manufacturing: Solutions that integrate AI, robotics, and IoT to create self-optimizing production lines.
- Industrial Automation for Energy Transition: Technologies accelerating the adoption of hydrogen energy, smart grids, and battery recycling.
- Advanced Automation Equipment: Innovations in collaborative robots (cobots), autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), and AI-driven diagnostic tools.
“The future of mobility and industry lies in the seamless integration of intelligent automation and industrial automation,” added Noh. “By supporting startups that bridge these domains, we aim to create a global ecosystem where technology drives both efficiency and sustainability.”
Conclusion: Automation as the Core of Hyundai’s Future-Ready Strategy
With ZER01NE Fund III, Hyundai Motor Group reinforces its position as a pioneer in leveraging intelligent automation and automation equipment to shape the next generation of mobility and industrial systems. By investing in startups that innovate across AI, robotics, and energy technologies, the Group is not only driving internal transformation but also fostering a global network of partners committed to solving humanity’s most pressing challenges.
As industrial automation continues to evolve into smarter, more adaptive systems, Hyundai’s strategic focus on automation-driven innovation ensures that its legacy of engineering excellence remains at the forefront of technological change. For the Group, ZER01NE Fund III is more than an investment initiative—it’s a statement: the future belongs to those who automate with purpose.
