[CES 2026] Korean Companies Sweep Innovation Awards... KOTRA Provides On-Site Support

On-site Meeting with CES Innovation Award-winning Companies

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and KOTRA listened to the voices of companies on the ground aiming to become one of the world's top three AI powerhouses, coinciding with the opening day of CES 2026, the world's largest electronics and IT exhibition. This year, Korean companies swept about 60% of the CES Innovation Awards, demonstrating their technological competitiveness on the global stage.

KOTRA announced on January 8 that it held an on-site meeting on January 6 (local time) in Las Vegas, USA, inviting 11 companies-including CES Innovation Award winners and participants in the integrated Korea Pavilion.

KOTRA held an on-site meeting on the 6th (local time) in Las Vegas, USA, inviting 11 companies, including CES Innovation Award winners and participants in the integrated Korea Pavilion. Company representatives are speaking at the meeting. KOTRA

According to KOTRA, as major countries expand investments in AI infrastructure, global venture capital investment focused on AI reached $154.8 billion in the first to third quarters of 2025. The Korean government has also allocated a budget of 10 trillion won this year, aiming to become one of the top three AI powerhouses. In addition, both global companies such as OpenAI and countries including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, and Saudi Arabia are pursuing cooperation and driving AI industry innovation both domestically and internationally.

Korean companies demonstrated their technological competitiveness by sweeping 60% of the CES Innovation Awards this year. According to the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), which organizes CES, Korean companies set a new record by winning 168 out of 284 total Innovation Awards. Many of the selected technologies were AI-based solutions and practical technologies in fields such as healthcare, environment, and mobility, highlighting the practicality and rapid execution of innovative technologies.

Participating companies at the meeting shared their challenges, such as complex legal and overseas patent application procedures and rising exhibition participation costs, and requested support to ensure that innovative technologies lead to actual export results. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and KOTRA introduced support programs tailored to company needs, such as the Overseas Exhibition Group and Individual Participation Support Program and the Export Voucher Program, and pledged to continue supporting overseas marketing and commercialization even after CES.

KOTRA President Kang Kyungsung said, "Korean innovative companies are attracting global attention by sweeping 60% of all CES Innovation Awards. We will maximize the effectiveness of our support by reflecting the voices of companies on the ground, lead our AI innovation ecosystem to the world, and contribute to Korea's leap to become one of the world's top three AI powerhouses."