Telecommunications firm KT said Thursday that it would participate in the Mobile World Congress, the world’s largest mobile trade show to be held in Barcelona later this month, along with promising Korean start-ups.

The mobile carrier said a total of seven start-ups, including smart factory solutions developer Ulalalab and digital authentication solutions firm 12CM will showcase their products and services at the mobile carrier’s booth during the trade show.

Most of the start-ups took part in a program, dubbed K-Champ, run by the company and the Gyeonggi Center for Creative Economy and Innovation.

Among technologies to be displayed at the events are a smart door lock developed by Amadas and toy firm Atto Cube’s wooden blocks that can be played with via a smartphone.

Start-ups Robotics and 247 will introduce, respectively, a smart water buoy equipped with small cameras and motion sensors and a smartphone case that turns into a Taser for self-protection.

KT said it would not only set up meetings with global investors for the start-ups during the MWC, but also support the fledgling firms in bringing their products to global markets.

“KT will make the utmost effort to nurture competitive Korean start-ups and help them to tap into the global market,” said Kim Young-myoung, senior vice president of KT’s creative economy initiative unit.

The mobile carrier partook in global trade shows and conferences, such as MWC Shanghai and CommunicAsia, with Korean start-ups last year.

By Kim Young-won (wone0102@heraldcorp.com)