Konkuk University Student Startup Team Reblock Wins Grand Prize at Climate, Energy and Environment Startup Competition

[Financial News] A young startup that developed paving blocks that allow water to drain efficiently even during heavy rain by using discarded ceramics and broken tile pieces has won the top prize at a government startup competition.
Konkuk University announced on the 10th that its student startup team Reblock won the grand prize in the ideas category—the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment Award—at the 2026 Climate, Energy and Environment Startup Competition, jointly hosted by the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment and the Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute. The prize money was 10 million won.
Reblock’s resource-circulating permeable paving blocks use difficult-to-process ceramic waste, such as broken tiles and discarded ceramics, as raw material. The construction material is designed to allow rainwater to naturally seep into the ground, helping reduce urban flooding. Conventional rainwater-absorbing blocks drain water effectively but are prone to breaking. Reblock improved the bonding method for its ceramic materials, achieving both efficient drainage and strong durability. The product also helps reduce landfill waste and carbon emissions generated during concrete production.
Kim Min-chan, CEO of Reblock, said, "While urban flooding is recurring due to increasingly frequent torrential rains, ceramic waste that is readily generated around us is difficult to recycle and is mostly buried in the ground. We will transform discarded waste into a safe pathway for rainwater and develop it into eco-friendly urban infrastructure that helps prevent damage from heavy rain."
The team’s technology is moving beyond the laboratory and nearing entry into the actual market. With support from Konkuk University’s Startup Support Center, Reblock has completed a pilot installation on campus. It is now discussing joint technology verification and material supply with a major construction company. The team plans to expand its sales network beyond the public procurement market for government supplies to private apartment complexes and construction sites.
Reblock has established its competitiveness by winning a series of domestic and international startup competitions. It won the 2026 Enactus Korea national competition and took first place in the Defense Technology Startup Competition. In November, it will compete as South Korea’s representative at the Enactus World Cup in Brazil, taking on the global stage.
Konkuk University President Won Jong-pil said, "Students’ fresh ideas are progressing from prototype verification to overseas expansion and commercialization in the real market. We will continue to broaden the university’s startup support so that students’ innovative ideas can blossom into businesses."  

[email protected] Kim Man-ki Reporter