Break the comfort zone for the future

What is a world-changing technology? For a technology to be considered “world-changing,” it must paint a picture of a future that is notably different from the world we currently know. It should completely alter our way of thinking and introduce disruptive innovation. This is the essence of tough tech. Just as the word “tough” modifies the word technology, tough tech startups inherently embrace the risky nature of technological development. It is their purpose and challenge to continually push the boundaries in order to create seemingly impossible yet crucial technologies for humanity.

During NextRise 2024, the spirit of tough tech – the ability to persevere in extreme environments – was prominently displayed. Tough tech encompasses fields such as space and bio-carbon neutrality, and we specifically focused on the unexplored frontier of space, which captivates humanity’s curiosity. One noticeable change at the event was the significant presence of space-related startups. In the Future Tech theme zone and the Bio & Healthcare pavilion, over 10 Korean-based space startups were showcasing new technologies for the NewSpace era.

South Korea’s ‘SpaceLiinTech’ has constructed a 600-meter drop tower to simulate microgravity for conducting experiments on creating edible drugs and proteins usable for astronauts. The tower is located in an abandoned mine in Taebaek, Gangwon-do, a well-known Korean plateau, and aims to recreate the weightlessness of space. This initiative represents an intersection between the space and bio industries, pioneering the field of space medicine. Additionally, ‘Unastellar’ is working on Asia’s first manned space launch vehicle, while ‘Spacemap’ has developed a real-time satellite collision problem-solving platform, further propelling South Korea’s foray into space exploration.

I personally believe that “neuroscience” is a promising field of technology in the near future. First, I’d like to ask you a question: Are you aware that most of what we know about the brain has been discovered in the last 150 years or less? In recent years, researchers have been developing Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) technology to control a computer mouse using only brain movements or to have a bilingual conversation using brain signals.

At NextRise 2024, a ‘tough’ startup tried to explore the human brain, and ‘OBELAB’ in South Korea developed a brain imaging device to monitor human diseases in real time. The device is worn on the head and measures the oxygen saturation level in the brain’s blood vessels. It is equipped with advanced in-house developed semiconductors, making it more portable and convenient than existing devices.

The current scene makes it apparent that tough tech is poised to revolutionize the world in the near future. The ambitious pursuits of tough tech startups are expected to have a growing global impact. Let’s take a step back for a moment. The tough tech movement originated on American college campuses. Harvard’s Microrobotics Lab is developing a robot capable of communicating with whales (Project CETI), which has the potential to bring human-whale conversations to life. Additionally, MIT in the US has established The Engine, which is a $25 million VC fund exclusively dedicated to tough tech.

Space, biotech, agriculture, energy, robotics, and neuroscience. Imagine the future of Silicon Valley. Tough tech is all about pushing the boundaries of human potential, which captures people’s attention and investment. Startups are the key to turning the impossible into the possible. NextRise provides a platform for startups to achieve success. This year, over 500 startups took part in NextRise. So the number that will be recorded at NextRise 2025 next year must be 500 +α, tough tech will be.