[Kyungpook National University Startup Support Center] Screen That Doesn’t Turn Off Even in Heatwaves… Biodisplay CEO Jo Ho-yeon Opens Market with Charger HMI – 벤처스퀘어

– EV Charger Dedicated HMI Secures Market with High Reliability and Durability for Outdoor Environments

– Securing certifications and expanding client base through the Startup Leap Package, taking technological capabilities to the next level

– Currently supplying domestic and international models to major domestic charger manufacturers

For electric vehicle chargers, true capability lies not in flashy specifications, but in how well they hold up in the field without breaking down.

Jo Ho-yeon, CEO of BioDisplay, defines the core value of the company’s products as “field reliability.” This is because, in a display market where technological capabilities have become standardized at a high level, the durability to withstand the harsh outdoor environment is precisely what clients most urgently desire.

Established in 2020, BioDisplay is a specialized automotive components company that develops and manufactures Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs) dedicated to electric vehicle (EV) chargers. Based on solid technological capabilities accumulated in the display field, including LCD modules, touch panels, and touch glass, the company manufactures core devices that allow charger users to directly check information and operate them. Currently, an elite team of eight, including the CEO, is dedicated to research and development, analyzing on-site variables every day.

High-reliability design that overcomes the limitations of outdoor environments

Electric vehicle chargers are mostly installed outdoors, such as outside buildings or in parking lots. This presents the worst possible conditions for display devices. They are exposed to the external environment year-round—from record-breaking heatwaves and direct sunlight in midsummer to sub-zero temperatures in winter, and humidity and dust during the rainy season. If standard industrial displays are used as is, critical problems are highly likely to occur, such as screen blackening at high temperatures, touch malfunctions in winter, and internal circuit corrosion caused by humidity.

BioDisplay contemplated value beyond simply supplying products. It decided to shift its focus from merely selling displays to selling ‘reliability’ that never stops under any circumstances. To achieve this, the company poured its entire corporate capabilities into repeated high and low-temperature testing, waterproof and dustproof designs, and technologies to ensure visibility that allows the screen to remain clear even under direct sunlight.

This persistence has been met with a positive response from the market. Given the nature of equipment that must operate stably for years once installed, charger manufacturers cite frequent breakdowns and maintenance costs as their biggest risks. BioDisplay has solidified its position in the market by addressing this fundamental concern of “minimizing failure rates.” Currently, it is reliably supplying domestic and export models to leading Korean charger manufacturers, including SK Signet, Hyundai Kefico, Modern Tech, and Crocus.

Startup Leap Package: Innovating Systems Beyond Products

The Startup Leap Package served as a decisive turning point for Biodisplay to advance to the next level. At the time of application, the company’s primary challenge was securing official certification for its HMI for electric vehicle chargers and expanding its sales channels through this. In particular, the company envisioned a blueprint to dramatically increase its market share by registering on the Public Procurement Service’s KONEPS platform to participate in charging infrastructure projects for public institutions and local governments.

The most direct achievement was the advancement of internal technical capabilities and the dramatic growth of system design expertise. Through the support of the Startup Leap Package, we were able to enhance the precision of hardware design and complete software optimization and the structuring of safety algorithms during the development of the Smart HMI. This served as an opportunity to systematize the entire development process, going beyond simply making a single high-quality product.

CEO Jo Ho-yeon explained, “The most significant change in indicators before and after receiving support is the expansion of the number of clients.” He added, “Previously, we were limited to transactions centered on a small number of projects, but now, based on certification and advanced technology, we have established continuous partnerships with major manufacturers.” This is considered the most meaningful change, as it signifies official recognition of technological reliability in the market.

Toward a global standard for charger screens

The turning point for CEO Jo Ho-yeon, when he felt it was time to grow in earnest, was confirming the potential for their product to go beyond merely satisfying specific customer needs and become the new market standard. As positive market reactions to outdoor stability and smart features continued, he began to strategize on establishing a firm market position rather than simply maintaining sales.

The electric vehicle market is growing explosively every year, and the corresponding demand for charging infrastructure is increasing exponentially. In accordance with the government’s carbon neutrality policy, the expansion of public infrastructure is essential, and competition for installation in the private sector is fierce. What BioDisplay is focusing on is to become the benchmark that comes to mind first when thinking of ‘outdoor-dedicated HMI’ in this massive market.

CEO Jo Ho-yeon expressed his aspirations, stating, “We will continue to focus on research and development without losing sight of the essence of field reliability,” and added, “We will prove the excellence of domestic technology in the growing global electric vehicle charging market and continuously expand our lineup of dedicated models optimized for public environments.”

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