CES 2026: K-Startups Also Take the Stage

Ministry of SMEs and Startups Opens "K-Startup Pavilion" at CES 2026
Startups and Venture Companies Win 144 Innovation Awards

Korean startups are making a remarkable impact at CES 2026, the world's largest electronics and IT exhibition. To support these startups in expanding into global markets, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups has established the K-Startup Pavilion at the CES 2026 venue in Las Vegas, USA.

According to the Ministry of SMEs and Startups on January 7, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), which hosts CES, has so far announced 347 CES Innovation Awards across 35 categories, of which Korean companies have won 206. Of these, small and medium-sized enterprises have received a total of 150 Innovation Awards, and among them, 144 awards have gone to startups and venture companies. Additional Innovation Awards are expected to be announced until the end of CES on January 9.

On the 5th (local time), ahead of the opening of CES 2026, a sculpture was installed at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) in Nevada, USA. Photo by Yonhap News

It is widely recognized that government support has played a significant role in these achievements. Through its overseas exhibition support program, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups has dispatched K-Startup delegations to major technology and startup exhibitions around the world, including CES, to help open up global markets. Last year, the ministry operated the K-Startup Pavilion at five key exhibitions held in the United States, India, France, Singapore, and Saudi Arabia, sending more than 200 Korean startups to participate.

At this year’s CES, the K-Startup Pavilion is once again in operation, and among the participating companies, a total of 11 have won 12 Innovation Awards. Notably, three companies-Geeksoft, DeepFusionAI, and CityFive-received the Best of Innovation award, which is given to the most innovative technologies and products in each category. DeepFusionAI CEO Yoo Seunghoon said, “Winning the Best of Innovation award in the AI category at CES 2026 is a testament to the outstanding commercialization of our 4D imaging radar deep learning model. Based on the cost-effectiveness and reliability of autonomous driving for vehicles and ships, we aim to become a leading company in deep learning-based autonomous driving, showcasing Korea’s technological prowess.”

Noh Yongseok, First Vice Minister of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (third from the left), is taking a commemorative photo with attendees at the opening ceremony of the K-Startup Pavilion at the CES 2026 held in Las Vegas, USA, on the 6th (local time). Ministry of SMEs and Startups

The K-Startup Pavilion, located in Eureka Park (the startup-exclusive hall) at CES 2026, supports the participation of outstanding Korean startups in the exhibition and facilitates local business matchmaking. Nineteen domestic startup support organizations-including public institutions, local governments, and universities-are operating the pavilion as a unified team under the "K-Startup" brand, with 81 innovative startups showcasing new technologies and products. During the exhibition, a variety of programs will be held, including K-Startup IR pitching sessions, local venture capital seminars, and a global startup summit.

Noh Yongseok, First Vice Minister of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, who attended the opening ceremony on January 6, stated, “K-Startups are receiving a great deal of attention at CES, a stage watched by the world. The Ministry of SMEs and Startups will continue to actively support innovative K-Startups so they can use CES as a springboard to enter the global market.”