Six AI-Ready Seed Data Sets Now Open in Real Time… Expanding the Data Ecosystem in Forestry and Gardening Through Public–Private Collaboration[Herald Economy = Reporter Kwon-hyung Lee] The Korea Arboretum and Garden Management Service (KNA), an agency under the Korea Forest Service, announced on the 10th that it is opening six AI-ready seed datasets in real time through an Application Programming Interface (API).The initiative is expected to serve as a major milestone in supporting the private sector’s free utilization of public data, accelerating digital transformation in the forestry and garden sectors, and promoting private-sector AI convergence services.The newly released datasets are built on the Seed Bank’s research database and include key information related to seed research and conservation, such as: • Taxonomic information • Seed vitality • Morphological characteristics • Quality-control information Additionally, the datasets include collection-site information and introducing-institution data, providing ecological background and provenance for each seed.Through this open API release, the KNA plans to stimulate AI research across industry and academia and support the development of data-driven forest restoration technologies.In fact, the private company InvaLab has already enhanced the accuracy of its drone-based ecological restoration models by incorporating seed vitality and morphological data from the newly opened datasets. This technology was recently demonstrated on-site during the “Seed-Ball Sowing Event” hosted by the KNA, showcasing the practical value and public–private applicability of the data.KNA President Shim Sang-taek stated, “The opening of the seed-information API marks the starting point for enabling the private sector to build innovative services using public data,” adding, “We will continue to provide diverse datasets in AI-ready formats and expand the data ecosystem in the forestry and garden sectors through ongoing collaboration with private partners.”Meanwhile, the KNA plans to further enhance the forest-data ecosystem by strategically expanding public-data access and strengthening infrastructure for AI-convergence content development in the fields of forest biological resources and horticulture. Source:https://biz.heraldcorp.com/article/10612737?ref=naver

Shin Wonhyeop, CEO of InvaLab Provides solutions that detect biodiversity risks and opportunities through remote sensing and restore ecosystems using seed-based methods Developing two core solutions—NatureBlitz and NatureX—built on technological convergence, efficiency, and sustainability as key competitive advantagesInvaLab is a nature-tech company that uses technology to address ecosystem restoration and biodiversity conservation. The company provides solutions that identify biodiversity risks and opportunities through remote sensing and restore ecosystems using seed-based methods. It was founded in September 2023 by CEO Shin Wonhyeop (age 35).The company’s main items are two solutions: NatureBlitz and NatureX. NatureBlitz is an on-site customized ecological restoration solution that combines drone, AI, and geospatial technologies to perform, in a one-stop process, the detection and removal of invasive alien plants, the seeding of native plants (seed balls), and post-monitoring.Compared to existing labor-centered methods, it can reduce cost and time while increasing restoration effectiveness. It is being used in ecological restoration projects linked to the ESG initiatives of government, public institutions, and companies.NatureX is a SaaS-based digital-twin platform that combines drone, satellite, and LiDAR data with AI ecological models to convert biodiversity and environmental monitoring into data and indicators. It supports companies and governments in managing carbon, biodiversity, and natural-capital risks in accordance with TNFD and ESG reporting systems.InvaLab’s competitiveness can be summarized in three points. First is technological convergence, which integrates drones, AI, LiDAR, and digital-twin technologies to manage the entire process from restoration execution to data-based performance management. Second is efficiency, enabling large-scale ecological restoration faster and at lower cost than labor-centered methods, with high precision and objectivity. Third is sustainability, as NatureBlitz and NatureX are linked to create a structure in which on-site restoration outcomes directly connect to ESG and TNFD reporting, providing practical value to both governments and companies.InvaLab is currently expanding its sales channels in the B2G market. It is securing initial references by participating in public projects such as wildfire-affected area restoration and the removal and management of ecosystem-disturbing plants. At the same time, in the B2B market, it carries out restoration projects linked to corporate ESG and carbon-neutral activities and provides ESG reporting indicators based on the activities and analyses.How did CEO Shin come to start the company? “While earning my Ph.D. in plant ecology and remote sensing, I conducted in-depth research in the field of ecological restoration. Through research and field experience, I directly felt that restoration work is highly site-dependent and labor-intensive. During this process, I developed the awareness that ‘without technology-based innovation, the limitations of ecological restoration will continue to repeat’, and I decided to start a company to solve this problem. I secured initial funding through government R&D projects, startup support programs, and early-stage investment, which allowed me to focus on technology development and prototype production.”InvaLab completed its Seed round investment in November 2024 and is currently pushing forward with technology advancement and market expansion, with the goal of attracting a Pre-A investment in the second half of 2026. The company especially plans to advance NatureX and enter the global ecological restoration analytics market in earnest, preparing expanded solutions that meet domestic and international ESG and TNFD needs.Since founding the company, CEO Shin said, “When I see the innovations I dreamed of becoming reality one by one as actual products and technologies—and when I experience that this process is not done alone but created together with team members who share the same vision—it is rewarding. There are many difficult moments, but in that process, I can feel both myself and the company growing.”Regarding future plans, he said, “Our goal is to build a system that enhances ecological restoration efficiency using scientific, evidence-based data on a global scale. A key point is enabling restoration outcomes to go beyond simple environmental value and become investable natural-capital assets such as carbon credits and biodiversity credits.”“Through this, restoration becomes an activity that allows investment and returns rather than a cost, and our ultimate vision is to create a sustainable ecological restoration ecosystem in which governments, companies, and investors all participate.”InvaLab was recognized for its items and selected for the University of Seoul Campus Town program. The Campus Town program is a project in which universities and local communities cooperate to support economic revitalization around university areas. Companies selected for the program receive benefits such as facility rental support, free access to shared office equipment, partial support for utility and facility operation costs, and designated office space or co-working space, along with various startup support programs.Founded: September 2023 Main business: Drone·AI·digital-twin–based nature ecosystem management; ESG·TNFD impact reporting solutions Achievements: 2023: Ministry of SMEs and Startups – Pre-Startup Package 2023: Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-Koo Foundation – H-OnDream Startup Ground, 11th cohort 2024: Ministry of SMEs and Startups – University Startup Package (early-stage startup) 2024: Ministry of SMEs and Startups – TIPS Program 2024: LG Electronics / LG Chem – LG Social Campus, LG Social Fellow 14th cohort 2024: SKT – ESG Korea 2024 2024: Ministry of Science and ICT – GovTech Startup Competition (Grand Prize, 1st place) 2025: Korea Forest Service – Big Data & AI Startup Competition in the forestry sector (Grand Prize, 1st place)Source : https://chatgpt.com/c/691d6935-aa80-8324-9ab1-4e90f4f1f41f

On the 23rd, at the Gyemyeongsan Recreational Forest in Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do — under the theme “Seeds of Hope, Forests Growing Anew.”At the Seed Ball Sowing Event held on the 23rd at Gyemyeongsan Recreational Forest in Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Shim Sang-taek (fifth from the left), President of the Korea Arboretum and Garden Management Service, announces the opening ceremony while holding a watering can.[Herald Economy = Reporter Kwon-hyung Lee] The Korea Arboretum and Garden Management Service (President Shim Sang-taek), under the Korea Forest Service, held the “Seeds of Hope, Forests Growing Anew” seed ball sowing event on the 23rd at Gyemyeongsan Recreational Forest in Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do, in collaboration with the Korea Forest Service and the Gyeongsangbuk-do Provincial Government.The event was organized to raise public awareness of the importance of forest ecosystem restoration and to promote a culture of ecological recovery.Around 200 participants—including representatives from the Korea Forest Service, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Andong City, the Korea Arboretum and Garden Management Service, wildfire response teams, and members of the public—joined the campaign to create and sow seed balls.Between August 29 and October 15, the Korea Arboretum and Garden Management Service, together with visitors to its affiliated arboreta, produced approximately 50,000 seed balls using acorns collected near wildfire-affected areas, including sawtooth oak (Quercus acutissima) and Mongolian oak (Quercus dentata) seeds.The program included a forest restoration video screening, a drone-based seed ball sowing demonstration by InvaLab, and a hands-on seed ball sowing session open to the public. The event stood out for delivering the message of forest recovery through both artistic and technological means.In addition, based on ESG collaboration with private companies, the initiative featured Black Yak’s “Top 10 Arboretum Visit Challenge,” where seed balls were accumulated through public participation, and a seed ball-making experience event supported by donations from employees of Junglim Architecture.Source:https://biz.heraldcorp.com/article/10600411?ref=naver

A Model-Based Integrated Drone and AI Ecological Restoration SolutionVisitors are attentively listening to the explanation of the solution.[Industry Daily] An ecological restoration solution that combines drones and AI (artificial intelligence) for natural environment management has been unveiled. Nature-tech startup InvaLab showcased its AI- and drone-based integrated ecological restoration solution at the 2nd Korea Social Value Festa. The event was held at COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on the 25th and 26th. The solution remotely surveys areas in need of ecological management using drones, focusing on wildfire-damaged sites and regions densely populated with invasive species. Data collected through infrared, LiDAR, and vision sensors mounted on the drones is then analyzed by AI to propose ecological restoration strategies.Seed Balls Exhibited by InvaLabIt also produces seed balls needed for restoration of damaged areas. This involves selecting native species and mixing soil suitable for the target site. The seed balls can be sown by drones, enabling coverage of about 0.5 hectares in just one hour.After restoration work, drones are deployed for periodic remote monitoring to diagnose the site and provide post-management reports.An InvaLab representative said, “Until now, ecological restoration has often relied on ad-hoc responses whenever abnormalities occurred. By establishing long-term, data-driven plans, we can reduce costs and improve management efficiency.”He added, “Using drones allows us to easily monitor rugged areas that are difficult for people to access. We are also developing a SaaS platform that applies Digital Twin technology to provide the ecological restoration process in 3D.”Publication Date: August 26, 2025 Source : https://kidd.co.kr/news/242969​

SK Telecom announced on the 25th that it has signed a comprehensive memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Yuhan-Kimberly to strengthen the implementation of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) practices.Through this agreement, the two companies will accelerate efforts for a sustainable future in various areas, including ▲forest restoration in wildfire-affected areas ▲resource circulation campaigns ▲and marketing collaboration.In particular, the two companies, in partnership with the global NGO “Forest for Peace,” will create new forests in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, which suffered severe damage from large-scale wildfires in March. Over the next five years, a total of 12,000 trees will be planted in the affected area.(From left) Eom Jong-hwan, Head of ESG Promotion at SKT, and Jeon Yang-sook, Head of the Sustainability Management Center at Yuhan-KimberlySK Telecom plans to combine its proprietary Vision AI technology with the expertise of the startup InvaLab to conduct drone-based surveys and AI-driven data analysis. Based on these efforts, the company will develop a scientific and efficient forest restoration model. In addition, a variety of tree species—including rare plants designated by the Korea Forest Service—will be planted to simultaneously promote biodiversity conservation and carbon reduction.Through Yuhan-Kimberly’s resource-circulation platform ByeCycle, SK Telecom will also recycle hand towels used in its offices, contributing to everyday waste reduction and the realization of a circular economy. Building on this initiative, the two companies will jointly carry out a range of resource-circulation campaigns.Furthermore, SK Telecom and Yuhan-Kimberly plan to design and operate joint marketing initiatives that connect SK Telecom’s services, such as T Membership and roaming, with Yuhan-Kimberly’s products. The two companies intend to pursue a long-term partnership that enhances ESG values while increasing customer satisfaction.Source : https://zdnet.co.kr/view/?no=20250925111455

A commemorative photo taken after the 2025 Startup Competition Awards Ceremony on Big Data and AI Applications in the Forestry Sector. (Provided by the Korea Forest Service. Redistribution and DB prohibited) / News1(Daejeon/Chungnam = News1) Reporter Park Chan-soo = The Korea Forest Service announced on the 16th that it held the 2025 Startup Competition Awards Ceremony on Big Data and AI Applications in the Forestry Sector at the Seoul Creative Economy Innovation Center.In the product and service development category, the grand prize went to the team MountainDuo (Soh-Young Kang and one other) for their submission Today Hiking. The platform integrates and analyzes forest data, location information, and user data to provide personalized, safe hiking information.InvaLab (Wonhyeop Shin and four others) won the grand prize in the idea planning category with a seed-sowing simulation service. The system predicts and verifies the feasibility of seed-ball establishment for early ground cover by reflecting diverse terrain conditions in forest environments that are difficult to access due to wildfire or landslide damage.Lee Jong-su, Director General for Planning and Coordination at the Korea Forest Service, said, “We hope the award-winning teams’ ideas and services will lead to sustainable outcomes that benefit the public. Going forward, we will continue to work on discovering, opening, and ensuring the quality of forest data to contribute to youth entrepreneurship and the advancement of the AI industry.”Source : https://www.news1.kr/local/daejeon-chungnam/5913730

 On the 5th, at the DB Financial Center in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, officials and representatives of the selected companies posed for a commemorative photo during the orientation for the 7th Transportation and Environment Challenge. DB InsuranceDB Insurance announced on the 8th that it has selected six companies for the 7th cohort of the “Transportation and Environment Challenge,” a social venture support program aimed at solving social issues in the field of transportation and the environment.The six final social ventures selected are Loen Korea, RoboRoad, Paperpop, InvaLab, AP Green, and BizCure.Hosted by DB Insurance, organized by the Environment Foundation, and sponsored by the Ministry of Environment, the “Transportation and Environment Challenge” is DB Insurance’s social contribution program that discovers, supports, and nurtures social ventures in the transportation and environment sector. Launched in 2019 as the first initiative of its kind in the domestic financial industry, the program marks its seventh year this year.DB Insurance plans to provide the selected companies with a wide range of benefits, including business funding, one-on-one coaching and acceleration programs, as well as opportunities to attract investment through Demo Day events.A DB Insurance representative stated, “We will actively support the realization of the innovative ideas developed by social ventures discovered through the Transportation and Environment Challenge.”Source : https://www.fnnews.com/news/202509080911268788

 [DataNet] Global accelerator SparkLabs announced the successful conclusion of the “KAIST vs. Seoul National University Startup Super Match,” co-hosted with the social enterprise Haengboknarae, KAIST Impact MBA, and the SNU Center for Startup Support.The Startup Super Match served as a stage to introduce startups striving to solve pressing social challenges through innovation to both investors and the public. The event was held as a special program of the nation’s largest social value festival, the 2025 Korea Social Value Festa.Adopting a head-to-head competition format, the event featured four startups nurtured by SparkLabs under the KAIST Impact MBA program and four startups from Seoul National University’s acceleration program, SNU BIG Scale-up. Each team took the stage to deliver IR pitches in front of the audience.Across four rounds of pitching, each startup presented its vision focusing on the social problems they aimed to solve, the uniqueness and scalability of their solutions, and their potential social impact. Panel judges—Kyunghee Choi, CEO of Sopoong Connect, and Taejoon Roh, Acting Partner at Primer—provided in-depth feedback and advice.Following the evaluations by judges and the audience, AP Green, which is developing an on-site clean hydrogen production system for customized power supply, was awarded the Grand Prize. The Excellence Award went to Perioneer, a developer of groundbreaking periodontal disease treatments. The Best Pitch Award, determined by audience votes, was given to Domino Effect, an education platform tailored for foreign caregivers. Based on the aggregated results of individual performances, Seoul National University was named the overall winning university team.In addition, the latter half of the event featured a special guest session with Booon, the winner of Japan’s Impact Shift social venture competition, who introduced its innovative model of recycling food waste into insect protein to the Korean audience.Judge Taejoon Roh, Acting Partner at Primer, remarked: “The startups on this stage are not only tackling social issues but also presenting highly competitive business models. Unlike the past, when social ventures were mostly focused on social value, I could clearly witness their evolution into enterprises encompassing economic value and global scalability.” Source: https://www.datanet.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=204813

｜Discussion on AI and Digital Twin-Based Utilization of Ecological Information… Expansion of Collaboration on Environmental Big Data PlatformsOn the 15th, at the main campus of the National Institute of Ecology in Seocheon-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, participants including Oh Eun, Head of the Digital Transformation Promotion Division at K-water (fifth from the right in the photo), announced the hosting of the “2025 Ecological and Natural Data Analysis Technology Sharing and Utilization Seminar.” (Photo = K-water)[Construction Economy News] K-water held the “2025 Ecological and Natural Data Analysis Technology Sharing and Utilization Seminar” on the 15th at the main campus of the National Institute of Ecology in Seocheon-gun, Chungcheongnam-do. The event aimed to create new added value through the use of ecological and natural data and to promote the spread of digital convergence.This seminar, jointly hosted with the National Institute of Ecology, was the second event in K-water’s “Data Value Creation Series,” which began in 2024 and is based on the corporation’s “Environmental Big Data Platform.” The program focused on the current status of ecological and natural data production and analysis, as well as the potential for integration with cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and digital twins.At the event, K-water presented its aquatic ecosystem health assessment model and shared cases of ecological data being opened and applied in collaboration with industry. The National Institute of Ecology introduced strategies for climate-adaptive ecosystem management and aquatic ecosystem impact assessments based on ecological big data, highlighting data-driven approaches to environmental response.In addition, discussions actively covered AI-based ecological research outcomes, private service models incorporating digital technology, and ideas for cross-industry integration, helping to expand the scope of data utilization.Ryu Hyung-joo, Vice President of K-water, stated, “This seminar marks a turning point in re-emphasizing the value and applicability of ecological and natural data. We will continue to discover and release reliable data to contribute to the advancement of digital convergence technologies.”Meanwhile, K-water’s “Environmental Big Data Platform,” established in 2019 with the support of the Ministry of Science and ICT, is an open data-sharing platform. It collects and provides a wide range of environmental data—including biodiversity, climate, water, air quality, and energy—from 24 public, private, and academic institutions, including the National Institute of Ecology. To date, 1,149 datasets have been utilized more than 100,000 times, reflecting active engagement.In particular, the platform was awarded a commendation by the Minister of Science and ICT in December 2023, solidifying its position as a leading platform in the field of environmental data in Korea.Source:https://www.cenews.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=37846  

 Participants of the second session of Impact Salon pose for a group photo. / Photo = Korea Social Investment Eroun.net = Editor Soo-jin Lee The public interest foundation Korea Social Investment announced on the 16th that it held the second session of the "IMPACT SALON" for corporate CSR and ESG practitioners on the 9th at Front1 in Gongdeok-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul. The event, under the theme “Finding Answers in Nature: Carbon Reduction and Biodiversity through Corporate Social Contribution,” shared how companies and startups can collaborate to implement Nature-based Solutions (NbS). ESG and CSR managers from 31 companies attended the event. The program included opening remarks by Lee Soon-yeol, CEO of Korea Social Investment, a keynote speech by Myung Soo-jung, Senior Research Fellow at the Korea Environment Institute, a case presentation from SK Innovation, and technology showcases from three startups: ThanksCarbon, InvaLab, and ForNatures. Myung Soo-jung, Senior Research Fellow at the Korea Environment Institute, emphasized that “Achieving both carbon neutrality and full biodiversity recovery by 2050—the ‘Nature Positive’ strategy—is becoming a global standard,” and added, “As TCFD expands to TNFD, companies are increasingly expected to disclose information related to natural capital.” She also suggested practical approaches tailored to the domestic context: “Globally, bee populations are disappearing, but urban areas are often more favorable environments for bees than rural ones. Urban beekeeping through the planting of nectar-producing plants or restoring disappearing wetlands are effective activities companies can start immediately.” A notable presentation came from a large corporation demonstrating structured biodiversity management. Seo-yeon Lee, PM at SK Innovation, introduced the company’s biodiversity management system at its Ulsan Complex using the globally recognized LEAP approach. She explained, “After a detailed survey of 9,819 individual birds across 106 species—including 15 nationally protected species in Ulsan—we created a habitat for raptors, which are top predators,” adding, “Creating an environment for umbrella species like raptors can restore entire ecosystems.” SK Innovation installed artificial nests and feeding stations over a 1,000㎡ area, and is currently tracking the movements of two rescued eagle owls using GPS to gather scientific evidence in real time. The most attention-grabbing part of the event was the innovative technologies presented by startups that already have collaborative records with large corporations. Hae-won Kim, CEO of ThanksCarbon, introduced a "digital MRV (Measurement, Reporting, Verification) technology that reduces methane emissions from Asia’s largest rice paddies using satellite data." He stated, “We are currently advancing a large-scale project covering 200,000 hectares in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Bangladesh.” He also shared a seagrass habitat restoration project in the Yeosu coastal area, which has been ongoing for four years in partnership with LG Chem. Won-hyeop Shin, CEO of InvaLab, presented a solution in response to the surge in wildfire damage this year. “The area affected by wildfires has more than doubled compared to last year, leading to a sharp increase in demand for restoration on steep slopes where human access is limited,” he explained. “Our key technology integrates drones and seed balls to analyze competitive dynamics with invasive species and construct the desired ecological structures.” Ho-rim Ryu, CEO of ForNatures, introduced a biological carbon capture system, stating, “Microalgae can capture more than five times the amount of carbon compared to forests in the same area, while also purifying the air.” He added that the solution is gaining attention as a response to the mandatory implementation of zero-energy buildings. Participants said, “It was valuable to learn about specific cases from potential collaborators,” and “We were introduced to innovative technologies that we hadn’t encountered in other programs.” During the networking session, many noted, “It was helpful to see various industries come together to share ESG challenges and seek practical solutions.” Lee Soon-yeol, CEO of Korea Social Investment, emphasized, “The core value of this event was to offer practical solutions that reflect both global trends and the Korean context in biodiversity,” and added, “We will continue to support ESG practitioners by serving as a platform that connects innovative startups with companies pursuing social value, while strengthening collaboration and field capabilities.” Meanwhile, Impact Salon is a bi-monthly program designed to enhance the field expertise of corporate ESG and CSR professionals and to foster collaboration opportunities. Each session is built around a key ESG or CSR topic and features expert lectures, corporate case studies, and networking sessions. Korea Social Investment is Korea’s leading ESG and CSR-focused impact public-interest organization. It plans and executes strategic social contribution and ESG initiatives for a sustainable future. Working with a global network of over 1,200 partners, it runs innovative ESG projects across climate change response, inclusive technology dissemination, and empowerment of youth, women, and seniors. From customized consulting and ESG startup investments to its proprietary ESG evaluation model ESG Plus, Korea Social Investment provides integrated solutions. It has established itself as a trusted ESG partner by transparently managing and reporting outcomes through a precise impact measurement system. Source : https://www.eroun.net/news/articleView.html?idxno=59602