Project CLEAR · Daejeon Center for Creative Economy & Innovation
Regulatory readiness support · CONNECT AIPROJECT CLEAR · 2026
Startup City’s next stage:export growth and AI &cybersecurity regulatory readiness
CONNECT AI is the specialist delivery partner supporting regulatory readiness for the Daejeon Center for Creative Economy & Innovation’s Project CLEAR. We connect company-specific EU AI Act, CRA and NIS2 reviews with technical architecture, scope of application, supporting evidence and practical next steps.
Turning technical potential into market-entry readiness
What does a technology company founded in a local community need to reach wider markets? It needs to find markets that value its technology, understand customers, and prepare for the regulations and certifications required for entry.
CONNECT AI believes these steps should form one connected commercialization plan. This perspective guides our regulatory support for Project CLEAR with the Daejeon Center for Creative Economy & Innovation.
AI & CYBERSECURITY / REGULATORY EXPERTISE
EU AI Act, CRA and NIS2: expertise across technology and regulation
AI and cybersecurity regulatory readiness requires specialist understanding of technical architecture, a company’s legal role, the scope of each rule and the evidence needed. CONNECT AI coordinates expert reviews to translate those requirements into documentation, management procedures and tasks the company can carry out.
EU AI Act
Start with AI purpose and the company’s role
We examine AI functions, intended purpose and roles such as provider or deployer to review applicability and risk classification. Relevant data governance, technical documentation and human oversight tasks are identified in the context of the product and its use.
- AI functions, intended purpose and company roles
- Scope and risk classification
- Data, technical documentation and human oversight
CRA
Review security throughout the product lifecycle
We review the scope for products with digital elements and the company’s role. Security requirements across design, development and maintenance are mapped to the technical architecture, with tasks for vulnerability handling, security updates and technical documentation.
- Products with digital elements and scope
- Security in design, development and maintenance
- Vulnerabilities, updates and technical documentation
NIS2
Distinguish organizational duties from supply-chain requirements
We review applicability to an organization based on its sector, size and the relevant Member State’s implementing law. Direct cybersecurity risk-management and incident-reporting obligations are considered separately from security requirements passed on by customers through the supply chain.
- Sector, size and Member State implementing law
- Organizational cyber-risk management and incident reporting
- Direct application and supply-chain requirements
- Analyze AI functions, technical architecture and the company’s legal role
- Review scope and risk classification in the target market
- Assess technical documentation, security processes and supporting evidence
- Connect expert findings to task owners, deadlines and implementation
DAEJEON CENTER FOR CREATIVE ECONOMY & INNOVATION / PROJECT CLEAR
CONNECT AI supports the Center’s Project CLEAR
Project CLEAR is a support program of the Daejeon Center for Creative Economy & Innovation. It examines regulatory challenges faced by companies selected for Daejeon Startup City and develops improvement directions and responses tailored to each company.
As the specialist delivery partner, CONNECT AI studies each company’s products, technologies and commercialization plans to identify key regulatory issues. Working with relevant experts, we clarify priorities, required materials and follow-up procedures, and document the work as practical manuals and implementation cases.
For companies with AI and cybersecurity issues, we examine AI functions, data processing and external connections alongside operating environments and target markets to determine the direction of the review.
Four foundations for the next steps
We understand each company’s situation and connect expert reviews to practical tasks and working resources.
- 01
Assess each company’s regulatory challenges
Preliminary questionnaires and interviews establish an understanding of products, technologies, business models and target markets. We identify regulatory, certification and demonstration issues that hinder commercialization and organize the key issues for each company.
A summary of company-specific regulatory issues - 02
Review responses with relevant experts
Specialists review the challenges and provide consulting suited to each company. We clarify applicable standards, required tests and certifications, technical documentation and questions to confirm with relevant authorities.
A review of applicable requirements and preparation materials - 03
Build an actionable response roadmap
We organize priority tasks, supporting evidence, responsible people and implementation schedules. Where further review or follow-up support is needed, we guide companies toward suitable organizations and response channels.
A roadmap with priorities, responsibilities and schedules - 04
Document practical guidance and cases
We record assessments, consulting and actual responses to create working resources that companies can use in follow-up tasks. The materials also capture confirmed outcomes and remaining issues.
Practical resources for follow-up work
INTEGRATED MODEL · PROPOSAL
An integrated operating model for export growth and regulatory readiness
CONNECT AI also proposes an operating model that connects Project CLEAR’s regulatory support with export preparation. This integrated consulting approach combines AI-enabled trade and AI and cybersecurity regulatory readiness, helping companies understand both market opportunities and entry conditions before deciding their next steps.
Regulatory support is being pursued through Project CLEAR. The integrated model, including university collaboration, export strategy and prospective-buyer lists, is a proposed collaboration model from CONNECT AI. Actual scope and deliverables will be defined through separate discussions and company assessments.
University trade talent
Participates in market research and export-strategy development.
Regulatory specialists
Review regulatory applicability and responses in light of the technology and target markets.
CONNECT AI
Provides the diagnostic framework and MORI, project management and deliverable quality control.
- 01
Assess export readiness
Review the company’s products, technology, commercialization stage and preparedness for export.
- 02
Define target markets and customers
Use market research and customer analysis to develop export strategy and prospective-buyer lists.
- 03
Review market-entry conditions
Connect certification, technical regulation, AI, cybersecurity and demonstration issues with specialist review.
- 04
Build a 90-day action plan
Assign task owners and specify the supporting evidence and deadlines for each action.
Target markets and customer definition
Export strategy
Prospective-buyer list
Key regulatory issue map
90-day action roadmap
STARTUP CITY / 2027
Startup City is set to expand to 10 locations in 2027
Startup City connects local talent, technology, capital and support organizations to build ecosystems where companies can start, grow and put down roots. Universities, research institutions, innovation centers, investors and businesses work together to create that foundation. CONNECT AI aims to add export execution and specialist regulatory support to it.
Discover the technologies and businesses of Daejeon startups in the online company introduction booklet.
The government plans to select six additional Startup City locations in January 2027. Together with Daejeon, Daegu, Gwangju and Ulsan, this would bring the national total to 10.
Based on the Ministry of SMEs and Startups’ October 22, 2026 announcement. Applications opened on October 23, 2026, with final selection scheduled for January 2027.Read the 2027 Startup City expansion announcementDAEJEON STARTUP CITY · COMPANY CATALOGUE
Meet Daejeon’s technology companies, page by page
Explore the catalogue of 75 companies selected for Daejeon Startup City. Choose a page to open the original publication here.
Company names and publication are in KoreanSource: Daejeon Startup City company catalogue
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to the five companies selected for Project CLEAR
We support the ambitions of 시정, 애드웨이브, 기가에떼, 에스웰딩 and 미라클스. We will work with each company to define its regulatory challenges and responses so its technology can progress toward commercialization and market entry. Findings from consulting and implementation are planned for follow-up case presentations and practical manuals.
Project CLEAR and regulatory readiness: questions answered
Do the EU AI Act, CRA and NIS2 apply to all five companies?
What are the respective roles of the Center and CONNECT AI?
What is the status of the integrated export and regulatory model?
CONNECT AI / PROJECT CLEAR
From local technology to global markets.
CONNECT AI helps prepare for export growth and AI and cybersecurity regulation together. Building on experience in Daejeon, we will develop an actionable model for regional technology companies entering markets in Korea and abroad. Contact us by email for business consultations and institutional partnerships.