The government-hosted public contest "Ideas for All" is showing signs of unexpected success. The surge in submissions has prompted the supervising ministry to raise its target.
According to the Intellectual Property Office, the contest received 12,807 idea submissions as of midnight on the 24th, surpassing 10,000 entries. The office originally set a goal of 20,000 total submissions. After exceeding 10,000 faster than expected, it raised the final target to approximately 25,000. At this pace, the contest could set a record for the most submissions among government-sponsored competitions.
"Ideas for All" is the first project launched by the Intellectual Property Office since its elevation from the Korean Intellectual Property Office in October last year. Running from January 8 to April 15, the initiative aims to generate new economic growth and social change through public ideas.
The contest has two categories: designated and open submissions. More than half of all entries so far have been in the open category, where citizens freely propose government policy or technology, product, and commercialization ideas. The designated category seeks solutions to challenges posed by companies including LG Energy Solution (batteries), Jusung Engineering (physical AI), and Cynos (semiconductors), as well as government ministries such as the Ministry of Science and ICT and Ministry of the Interior and Safety (AI), Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (K-food), and Ministry of Employment and Labor (industrial safety).
Prize money is cited as a key factor driving the contest's popularity. The grand prize winner will receive up to 100 million won. Total prize money amounts to 780 million won, the largest ever for a government ministry idea contest.
"Considering that more than a month remains until the submission deadline, we expect to achieve our original target of 20,000 entries," the Intellectual Property Office said. "We will establish the foundation for an innovation ecosystem that realizes growth through creative ideas."