LG Energy Solution (KRX: 373220), a global leader in advanced battery technologies, has officially launched its “Battery Innovation Contest (BIC) 2025” to identify and promote breakthrough innovations in battery technology. This initiative aims to drive advancements in the battery sector by encouraging researchers and innovators from universities and research institutions around the world to submit their proposals. The contest, which invites proposals until January 31, 2025, serves as a platform for fostering the next generation of technologies that could revolutionize the energy landscape.
Since its inception in 2017, the Battery Innovation Contest has been one of LG Energy Solution’s most important programs, reinforcing its commitment to advancing the global battery industry. In 2025, the competition has been reimagined with a fresh approach that aims to enhance collaboration between academia and industry. This revamped format is designed to support cutting-edge research while also addressing real-world challenges faced by the battery industry.
Encouraging Global Innovation
Researchers, scientists, and engineers across the globe are encouraged to participate in the BIC 2025. The submission platform, accessible via https://bridge.lgensol.com/, allows for the submission of innovative proposals that tackle a variety of issues in the battery technology space. This includes everything from new materials and improved battery safety features to more efficient manufacturing processes.
In the spirit of global cooperation, LG Energy Solution has opened up the contest to innovators from universities, research centers, and technology institutions around the world. This inclusivity ensures a broad range of ideas and perspectives, which is critical for advancing the development of batteries that meet the demands of future energy storage systems.
A Revamped Format for Greater Industry-Academia Collaboration
One of the key changes for BIC 2025 is the introduction of specific, pre-announced research topics. In previous years, the competition allowed for open-ended proposals, but the new format encourages participants to focus on solving specific challenges identified by LG Energy Solution. This shift aims to foster deeper collaboration between academia and industry, ensuring that the research outcomes are not only theoretically advanced but also practically applicable to real-world battery production challenges.
By guiding participants to focus on critical areas such as “Battery Safety Diagnosis Algorithms” and “New Materials for LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) Batteries,” LG Energy Solution aims to align Contest academic research with the company’s current and future technological needs. This strategic approach allows for greater synergy between academia’s theoretical capabilities and the industry’s practical applications, maximizing the value for both sides.
“The BIC 2025 contest is not just about supporting academic research,” an LG Energy Solution spokesperson commented. “It’s about creating a mutually beneficial relationship between academia and the battery industry. By providing specific research topics, we are addressing immediate Contest technological challenges while fostering the development of long-term innovations.”
Enhancing Collaboration with the BRIDGE System
To further strengthen collaboration, LG Energy Solution has launched the “BRIDGE” system—a specialized platform designed to manage open innovation programs like BIC. BRIDGE serves as a digital ecosystem where teams from various institutions can work together seamlessly. It enables participants to track their objectives, communicate with other teams, and monitor their progress as they work on joint research projects.
The BRIDGE system is a key part of LG Energy Solution’s effort to streamline and optimize its innovation efforts. It is expected to facilitate the smooth execution of projects by connecting researchers with LG Energy Solution’s in-house technical experts. This collaborative environment will ensure that all stakeholders can contribute their expertise and insights in a way that accelerates progress.
Supporting a Wide Range of Research Topics
For the 2025 edition of BIC, LG Energy Solution has outlined 18 preselected research topics, which include high-impact areas such as battery safety, advanced algorithms for battery diagnosis, and innovative materials for LFP batteries. LFP batteries, known for their safety and cost-effectiveness, Contest are increasingly gaining traction as an alternative to more expensive lithium-ion batteries. Research on new materials for these batteries could lead to significant improvements in performance, efficiency, and sustainability.
Additionally, LG Energy Solution has maintained the flexibility for participants to propose entirely new and original research topics. This open-ended approach allows researchers to explore uncharted territories in battery technology that might not fit into the predefined topics. This hybrid approach of preselected and open-topic submissions ensures that the contest remains dynamic and inclusive of a wide range of groundbreaking ideas.
Two-Stage Application Process
To safeguard the intellectual property (IP) of participants, LG Energy Solution has introduced a two-stage application process. The first stage requires participants to submit a concise initial proposal that outlines the general scope of their research. The second stage involves submitting a more detailed proposal, but only for those who are shortlisted in the initial round.
This approach ensures that even if a project is not selected for funding, the original ideas remain protected. By segmenting the application process into these stages, LG Energy Solution provides an added layer of security for researchers and fosters a sense of trust in the contest. This also allows the company to identify the most promising and innovative ideas, which will ultimately receive funding and support.
Providing Funding and Resources for Promising Research
One of the major incentives for participants is the funding support that will be provided to winning projects. Researchers selected for funding will receive an annual research grant of up to USD 150,000. This financial support will be instrumental in helping researchers carry out their projects, covering the costs of research materials, equipment, and other essential resources.
Furthermore, for projects that show exceptional promise or achieve significant milestones, additional funding may be provided through extended contracts. This is designed to ensure that breakthrough ideas can continue to be developed and refined, leading to real-world applications in the battery industry. This commitment to long-term research support reflects LG Energy Solution’s focus on fostering lasting technological advancements.
“We believe that by supporting innovative research with significant funding, we are not only advancing our technological leadership but also providing differentiated value to our customers,” said Je-Young Kim, CTO of LG Energy Solution. “Our ultimate goal is to push the boundaries of what is possible in battery technology and provide solutions that meet the needs of tomorrow’s energy markets.”
Expanding Partnerships with Leading Universities and Research Institutions
Since its launch in 2017, the BIC initiative has already supported 26 battery research projects, many of which have evolved into large-scale projects that receive additional funding and resources. This success has reinforced LG Energy Solution’s relationships with leading academic institutions and research centers around the world.
Through the contest, LG Energy Solution continues to forge partnerships with some of the world’s most renowned universities and research institutions, reinforcing its commitment to advancing the field of battery technology. By collaborating with experts in academia, LG Energy Solution is able to stay at the cutting edge of battery innovation and help shape the future of energy storage solutions.
A Vision for the Future of Battery Innovation
As the demand for batteries continues to rise with the growth of electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and other energy storage applications, the need for advanced and efficient battery technologies is more urgent than ever. LG Energy Solution recognizes the importance of fostering innovation in this field and is dedicated to driving progress through initiatives like the BIC 2025.
The contest is not only an opportunity for researchers to gain funding and recognition for their work, but also an opportunity to contribute to the development of technologies that will play a crucial role in addressing global energy challenges. By supporting the next generation of battery technologies, LG Energy Solution aims to accelerate the transition to a more sustainable and energy-efficient future.
“We are committed to strengthening our technology leadership and driving technological innovation that will benefit society as a whole,” said Je-Young Kim. “Through programs like BIC, we aim to support the development of next-generation battery technologies that will power the future of energy.
The launch of the Battery Innovation Contest (BIC) 2025 marks a new chapter in LG Energy Solution’s commitment to fostering groundbreaking innovations in battery technology. By introducing a more focused format and leveraging its BRIDGE platform to facilitate collaboration between industry and academia, LG Energy Solution is creating an environment where the brightest minds can work together to solve some of the most pressing challenges in energy storage.
Through its generous funding and extensive support, the BIC 2025 initiative offers researchers the opportunity to transform their ideas into real-world solutions. As LG Energy Solution continues to expand its network of partnerships with top universities and research institutions, it is well-positioned to drive the future of battery technology and contribute to a more sustainable global energy landscape.
Advancing Global Battery Research and Development
The global demand for sustainable and efficient energy storage solutions is on the rise, driven by industries such as electric vehicles (EVs), renewable energy integration, and mobile electronics. As these sectors continue to grow, the need for advanced battery technologies has never been greater. LG Energy Solution’s Battery Innovation Contest (BIC) 2025 represents a forward-thinking approach to tackling this challenge, harnessing the collective expertise of researchers and innovators worldwide to accelerate the development of next-generation batteries.
Fostering Cross-Sector Collaboration
The central objective of BIC 2025 is to create meaningful collaborations between academia and industry. In the past, the gap between academic research and industrial application has often hindered the rapid transition from theoretical concepts to real-world technologies. By specifically targeting research that addresses practical challenges in the battery industry, LG Energy Solution is bridging this gap and ensuring that academic insights lead to tangible innovations in the battery market.
The inclusion of both preselected topics and open research areas ensures that BIC 2025 supports a diverse array of ideas while addressing industry-specific challenges. Researchers Contest working on fundamental science, such as novel battery chemistries or advanced materials, will have the opportunity to contribute their expertise to projects with immediate industrial applications. In contrast, those exploring cutting-edge technologies or unconventional ideas will still have a platform to submit entirely original research proposals. This hybrid approach not only enhances the scope of innovation but also creates a well-rounded pool of research Contest that addresses both long-term and immediate needs in the industry.
The Role of BRIDGE in Open Innovation
The BRIDGE system, a key component of LG Energy Solution’s open innovation efforts, plays a critical role in facilitating collaboration throughout the BIC 2025 contest. As an advanced digital platform, BRIDGE enables seamless communication between researchers and industry professionals, ensuring that participants can effectively track their progress, exchange ideas, and receive feedback from technical experts at LG Energy Solution. The platform’s interactive features also allow for regular monitoring of project milestones, fostering continuous improvement and enabling prompt troubleshooting for research teams.
BRIDGE is not just a platform for managing research submissions; it’s designed to create a collaborative environment that mirrors the challenges faced by researchers working in the real world. This collaborative ecosystem allows researchers to access valuable resources, including expertise from LG Energy Solution’s technical team and its extensive network of industry partners. By creating such an interactive space, LG Energy Solution ensures that every project is positioned to succeed, whether it’s in the early stages or already demonstrating groundbreaking potential.
Funding and Long-Term Support
The financial aspect of the BIC 2025 contest is crucial in ensuring that selected research projects are well-equipped to achieve their objectives. In addition to the annual research funding of up to Contest USD 150,000, participants who demonstrate exceptional progress may be awarded extended funding for further development. This additional financial support could be instrumental in taking a promising research idea from the prototype stage to full-scale implementation.
Long-term funding is a key part of LG Energy Solution’s strategy to foster sustained innovation. While many competitions provide a one-time grant, BIC 2025’s extended support ensures that researchers have the necessary resources to continue refining their work over time. This approach encourages in-depth exploration of ideas, allowing researchers to improve their concepts through iterative development cycles.
Moreover, by continuing to fund projects that show significant promise, LG Energy Solution cultivates a pipeline of innovative technologies that could eventually be integrated into its own commercial offerings. This ensures that the company stays at the forefront of battery technology development while also contributing to the broader innovation ecosystem.
Strengthening Partnerships with Universities and Research Institutions
Since the inception of BIC in 2017, LG Energy Solution has formed numerous partnerships with leading universities and research institutions worldwide. These collaborations have been instrumental in driving technological progress, resulting in successful research projects that have transitioned Contest into large-scale initiatives with far-reaching implications for the energy industry. Through these partnerships, LG Energy Solution has not only advanced its own technological capabilities but also helped elevate the global standing of its academic partners.
The launch of BIC 2025 further strengthens these relationships, offering researchers the opportunity to engage with one of the world’s most prominent battery manufacturers. LG Energy Solution’s established presence in the energy storage sector provides researchers with invaluable access to industry insights, cutting-edge technologies, and a wealth of real-world data. In turn, these academic partnerships foster a culture of shared innovation that benefits both parties, driving progress that might otherwise take years to achieve.
A Vision for a Sustainable Future
LG Energy Solution’s commitment to advancing the battery industry is part of its broader vision to contribute to the global transition to clean energy. With the growing urgency to combat climate change, there is a pressing need for efficient energy storage systems that can support the widespread adoption of renewable energy sources like solar and wind. By facilitating the development of next-generation batteries, LG Energy Contest Solution is helping to lay the groundwork for a sustainable energy future.
The company’s investment in research through the BIC contest not only strengthens its own technological portfolio but also accelerates the development of the tools necessary for a low-carbon economy. Contest The focus on safety, efficiency, and sustainability in battery technology aligns with global initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions and increasing energy resilience. For instance, advanced battery chemistries and materials developed through BIC may help improve energy storage systems for electric vehicles, Contest which in turn reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector. Similarly, innovations in large-scale energy storage could facilitate the integration of renewable energy sources into the grid, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The Battery Innovation Contest (BIC) 2025 launched by LG Energy Solution represents a bold step forward in the drive to develop advanced battery technologies. By fostering greater collaboration between academia and industry, the contest aims to catalyze breakthroughs that will address pressing challenges in energy storage, battery safety, and materials science. With the launch of the BRIDGE platform, dedicated funding support, and a renewed focus on specific research topics, LG Energy Solution is well-positioned to continue leading the charge in battery innovation. Ultimately, the success of BIC 2025 will contribute to the ongoing evolution of battery technologies, driving the transition to a more sustainable and energy-efficient future.
In addition to fostering innovation in battery technology, the Battery Innovation Contest (BIC) 2025 also plays a crucial role in driving global collaboration. By attracting researchers from universities and research institutions across the world, the contest serves as a platform for cross-border collaboration, helping to create a global network of battery technology experts. This international engagement is vital, as battery research benefits from diverse perspectives and expertise. As countries and companies race to Contest meet the growing demand for energy storage solutions, global cooperation becomes increasingly important.
The contest’s inclusion of both specific pre-selected topics and the option for entirely original research ideas also maximizes the potential for creative breakthroughs. Researchers are encouraged to think beyond conventional solutions and challenge the status quo in battery technology. This open approach allows for the exploration of a wider range of possibilities, which is essential for discovering the next generation of batteries that will power industries and everyday devices for years to come.
Through the combination of funding support, collaboration with industry leaders, and a clear focus on high-impact areas such as safety, efficiency, and sustainability, LG Energy Solution’s BIC 2025 is poised to make significant strides in advancing battery technologies. This initiative not only contributes to the company’s strategic goals but also helps to propel the global energy transition toward a cleaner, more sustainable future.
