About 300 Companies Selected from Over 4,500 Participants
Consultation Performance Up 57% Year-on-Year with 2025 Gangwon Pavilion
Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province (Governor Kim Jin-tae) announced on November 10 that three innovative companies from the province have won CES Innovation Awards at CES 2026, the world’s largest ICT exhibition, which will be held in Las Vegas, United States, from January 6 to 9, 2026.
The CES Innovation Awards are prestigious honors given to about 7% of products among more than 4,500 entries from companies worldwide each year, based on a comprehensive evaluation of technological excellence, aesthetics, and innovation, prior to the opening of the event.
Since Gangwon began operating its own pavilion in 2025, 14 local companies applied this year, and three-Chuncheon Smart ENC, Wonju FD Tech, and Gangneung Solum Advanced Materials-were selected, achieving a 21% success rate and marking the first time that three companies from the province have won simultaneously.
This achievement is attributed to the close cooperation and systematic support provided by the province, local cities and counties, and innovation agencies.
The province supported the companies’ global competitiveness by offering practical assistance throughout the entire process, including English application editing, consulting on award-winning know-how, and one-on-one customized training.
The award-winning companies will receive benefits such as the Innovation Award trophy, the right to use the CES Innovation Award logo, the opportunity to showcase their products in the Innovation Award showcase, and listing on the CES website. This is expected to enhance their brand value, increase product credibility, and expand their entry into overseas markets.
The CES 2026 Integrated Gangwon Pavilion will be operated at the largest scale ever, with collaboration among eight organizations: three cities and counties in the province (Chuncheon, Wonju, Gangneung), two universities (Kangwon National University, Catholic Kwandong University), and two innovation agencies (Gangwon Technopark, Wonju Medical Device Industry Promotion Foundation).
Governor Kim Jin-tae, after participating in CES 2024, declared Gangwon Province’s commitment to systematically supporting the global expansion of local innovative companies, and began operating the independent Gangwon Pavilion from 2025.
In 2026, the previously separate Gangwon Pavilion and Gangwon Technopark Pavilion will be unified into the Integrated Gangwon Pavilion, consolidating the province’s innovation capabilities for promotion. The Director of Industry will be dispatched as a special envoy to lead comprehensive promotion and support efforts on site.
Meanwhile, through the operation of the Gangwon Pavilion at CES 2025, the province achieved tangible results, including a 41% increase in consultations (from 375 to 527 cases), a 57% rise in consultation performance (from 17.42 million to 27.34 million dollars), and a 43% increase in contract amounts pursued (from 2.29 million to 5.22 million dollars) compared to the previous year.
Governor Kim Jin-tae emphasized, “Three companies from our province have won awards at CES, the world’s largest consumer electronics exhibition. Out of more than 4,500 participating companies, only about 300, or around 7%, receive this honor.”
He added, “Next year, we plan to bring all Gangwon companies together under the Integrated Gangwon Pavilion, and to this end, we will dispatch the Director of Industry as a special envoy.”
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