Frontier Labs, an investment program for Korean food startups, enters its fifth year supporting promising businesses
Frontier Labs was born out of a bold ambition: to discover and nurture early-stage startups capable of reimagining the future of K-food. Launched in 2021 and operated by the Venture Investment Team under the Strategy and Planning Division of the Food Growth Transformation at CJ CheilJedang, the program has steadily grown as South Korea’s leading investor of innovative food-based startups. Since its inception, Frontier Labs has invested in 13 promising startups, fostering a culture of creativity, sustainability, and collaboration. Now in its fifth year, the program continues to identify forward-thinking startups, help them bring cutting-edge ideas to life, and make a real impact on the world.
Pioneering K-Food with Frontier Labs
Frontier Labs was established to accelerate innovation across the K-food industry, from advanced food ingredients and manufacturing to digital distribution, marketing, emerging brands and AI, by leveraging cutting-edge technologies applicable throughout the food industry. At the same time, the program aims to build a collaborative ecosystem that prioritizes partnerships and mutual growth, all the while redefining K-cuisine for a modern, global audience.
The program’s operational structure is hands-on and cooperative. Selected startups are paired one-on-one with relevant CJ CheilJedang departments and assigned dedicated mentors offering strategic industry guidance every step of the way. Together, from ideation to execution, they co-design proofs of concept and work toward a pathway to investment opportunities. Frontier Labs also facilitates access to key public and private investors as well as accelerators — including CJ Investment, Sopoong Connect, and the Korea Agriculture Technology Promotion Agency (KOAT). In this way, the startups gain invaluable exposure and support for their creative projects.
Importantly, Frontier Labs doesn’t revolve around a typical one-off, demo day–driven program or a short-term (one-year) initiative. Instead, it focuses on building a meaningful and sustainable program through long-term (three-year) viability through business collaboration and support. Participating startups are offered early-stage funding, and standout startups are further considered for follow-up investments and commercial partnerships, opening significant opportunities within CJ’s robust food ecosystem.
From Vision to Reality: Real-World Success Stories
Frontier Labs is more than a startup support program, and the proof is in the numbers. So far, the program has invested in 13 startups, and the combined corporate valuations of the first three cohorts have increased by approximately 45% compared to their value at initial investment, proving the tangible influence of the program.
For instance, Dosigotgan, a standout startup from the second cohort, focused on ready-made Korean banchan (side dishes). The company utilized CJ CheilJedang’s chicken breast SPAM product to develop a new side dish item. The results were impressive: more than 6,000 units were sold in just one month across 20 Dosigotgan retail locations. Building on this success, Dosigotgan is now exploring further marketing and sales opportunities involving CJ brands like Hetbahn, Sobaba chicken, and plant-based ALTIVE.
Another success story is EnoughU, a baby food startup that joined the program in its fourth cohort. The startup, which provides customized diet management solutions for infants and toddlers, collaborated with CJ Bioscience to develop a co-branded product that combines CJ Bioscience’s “SMILE GUT” gut microbiome testing service with EnoughU’s personalized baby meal kit. This joint product was launched as a pilot for test sales — a testament to Frontier Labs’ open innovation program — a testament to Frontier Labs’ open innovation program.
Shin Starr Presents, another startup from the fourth cohort, is worth highlighting for its innovative business model. The company currently operates the robot-powered OLHSO Korean food truck near San Francisco, serving fresh Korean BBQ & Seafood, and opened a flagship store in San Mateo in April 2025. Shin Starr Presents reflects the global expansion of K-food through robotics and automation — showcasing how Frontier Labs supports diverse formats of innovation.
Taken together, these cases highlight how Frontier Labs fosters real-world growth — supporting startups from early testing to consumer engagement and long-term business expansion.
What’s Next: Building the Future with Frontier Labs
Frontier Labs started recruitment for its fifth cohort in May, marking a new chapter in its increasingly forward-looking vision. With the program screening ending in July, this year’s key recruitment areas included sustainable ingredient innovation, manufacturing and packaging technology, and emerging food brands that led consumer trends. In addition to these categories, startups specializing in AI, healthcare, or climate tech were also encouraged to apply. In return, the selected teams gained access to CJ CheilJedang’s extensive resources, networks, and operational expertise — setting them up for long-term success beyond Korea.
Looking ahead, CJ CheilJedang aims to further entrench Frontier Labs as a strategic pillar of its ESG management and open-innovation efforts. By continuing to invest in ideas that align with sustainability and consumer wellness goals, the company is setting the foundation for a flourishing K-food ecosystem.
