Samsung’s C-Lab exhibition at CES 2026 (January 6–9) marks a defining moment for the company’s startup incubation program, showcasing 15 innovative startups that have collectively earned 17 CES Innovation Awards. This year’s exhibition not only highlights cutting-edge AI and deep-tech solutions but also underscores Samsung’s strategic push to decentralize South Korea’s tech ecosystem beyond Seoul.
Record Participation from Regional Korea
One of the most notable developments at CES 2026 is the record participation of seven startups from regional cities including Daegu, Gwangju, and Gyeongbuk. This represents Samsung’s most ambitious regional expansion to date, signaling a shift toward inclusive innovation and regional economic growth.
Since 2023, Samsung has incubated 40 regional startups, giving founders access to mentorship, funding, and global exposure without requiring relocation to Seoul. By bringing these companies to Eureka Park, Samsung is positioning regional Korean innovation on the global stage.
C-Lab Outside: AI with Real-World Impact
Eight startups are featured under C-Lab Outside, including seven regional startups and one joint venture. Notable innovations include:
- Repla (Gyeongbuk) with Puri-Checker, an AI-powered device that analyzes plastic composition to improve recycling efficiency.
- Elevenliter (Daegu), delivering AI-based diagnostics for early detection of progressive diseases in pets.
- Deepscent (Gwangju), offering AI-driven digital scent solutions tailored to specific environments.
- Univa (Daegu), introducing an on-device multimodal LLM designed for edge computing.
- 10kM.ai, a joint venture providing enterprise-grade AI video generation and monetization tools.
These solutions reflect a clear trend toward applied AI, addressing tangible challenges in sustainability, healthcare, and content creation.
Financial Innovation Joins C-Lab for the First Time
In a CES first, Samsung Financial Networks introduced four fintech startups under the Samsung Financial C-Lab Outside track. These include:
- WINNING.I, offering advanced eKYC through dual biometric verification.
- Pillsang, using on-device AI for real-time phishing and scam detection.
- Datumo, focused on cyber risk modeling for financial resilience.
Best of Innovation Winners
Two former C-Lab Inside ventures MangoSlab and StudioLab earned prestigious Best of Innovation Awards, validating Samsung’s incubation-to-spin-off pipeline.
Why Samsung C-Lab at CES 2026 Matters
With AI maturing from experimental concepts to practical tools, Samsung’s C-Lab is demonstrating how corporate-backed incubation can drive scalable innovation. Since its launch in 2012, C-Lab has supported 959 startups, with Samsung expected to surpass the 1,000-startup milestone in 2026 cementing its role as a global startup accelerator.
