From June 17, Koo Kwang-mo, Chairman of LG Group, embarked on a four-day journey to Tennessee and Silicon Valley in the U.S., marking his first American trip in 10 months since August last year. His visit focused on assessing the North American business strategy and the progress in key future growth sectors—artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology, and clean technology.

On June 23, according to LG Group, Chairman Koo visited LG Electronics’ manufacturing subsidiary and the Ultium Cells LLC, a joint venture between LG Energy Solution and GM, in Tennessee. In Silicon Valley, he attended meetings at LG Technology Ventures and LG Electronics’ North America Innovation Center to discuss investment strategies and nurturing of startups geared towards future readiness.

Chairman Koo also visited LG Technology Ventures in Silicon Valley, a corporate venture capital (CVC) established by LG in 2018. This venture capital arm, funded by seven major LG affiliates, manages a fund worth 1 trillion won, playing a key role in incubating global startups.

During his visit, Koo examined products and technologies from startups like Inworld AI, Eco Health, and South 8 Technologies, which have received investments from LG Technology Ventures. He discussed strategies to enhance LG’s future business competitiveness through a startup investment portfolio.

At the LG NOVA, LG Electronics’ North America Innovation Center, Koo encouraged efforts to develop new business models and commercialization through collaborations with external startups using an outside-in approach.

Furthermore, Koo’s visit to Silicon Valley included meetings with AI semiconductor firm Tenstorrent and humanoid robot startup Figure AI. On June 20, he met with Jim Keller, CEO of Tenstorrent, renowned as a “semiconductor legend.” Koo received insights into AI semiconductor trends and Tenstorrent’s technology, discussing the impact of AI proliferation on the semiconductor industry.

Koo also met with Brett Adcock, founder and CEO of Figure AI, where he was briefed on the current humanoid robot market and technology trends. He observed the operation of Figure AI’s humanoid robot, “Figure One,” which had been unveiled in March and gained significant attention.

Chairman Koo, who assumed his role in 2019, except for the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021, has been actively managing operations on-site annually in the North American market. Last August, he focused on inspecting local AI operations during his visits to Boston in the U.S. and Toronto in Canada.

During this trip, Koo examined the North American business strategies of key affiliates including LG Electronics, LG Energy Solution, and LG Chem. He also reviewed the smart factory technologies like robotic automation and unmanned logistics applied to the production lines of washing machines and dryers.

Located in the central-south of the U.S., Tennessee borders eight states including Georgia and Alabama, offering logistical and transportation efficiencies. It has been chosen by global automotive companies like GM, Volkswagen, and Nissan as a production base targeting the North American electric vehicle market.

With these geographical advantages, LG has been establishing Tennessee as a strategic base to penetrate the North American market. Following the completion of a consumer electronics manufacturing plant by LG Electronics at the end of 2018, the second plant of Ultium Cells LLC started operations in March this year. LG Chem plans to construct the largest cathode material plant in the U.S. in this region, with production of nickel, cobalt, and manganese (NCM) cathode materials set to commence in 2026.