[CES 2026] "Overseas Companies Are Coming to Us" ... "Ministry of Science and ICT to Provide K-AI Package Support"

Meeting Held Between Ministry of Science and ICT and Participating Companies
Companies Stress "Urgent Need for Follow-up R&D Support"
Ministry of Science and ICT: "Building a Comprehensive Support System Including Large-scale Funds"

"Until just a few years ago, major overseas companies used to ignore our company, but now they are seeking us out and requesting consultations themselves."

A meeting between the Ministry of Science and ICT and innovative startup companies is taking place at a restaurant in Las Vegas during CES 2026. Photo by Paek Jongmin, Tech Specialist

Jaehyung Lee, CEO of Stratio Korea, an infrared AI company, emphasized the need for continued support for the growth of the Korean AI industry during a meeting between Korean startups and the Ministry of Science and ICT, held on January 8 (local time) at CES 2026 in Las Vegas, USA.

At this meeting, companies that won the CES 2026 Innovation Award and the Ministry of Science and ICT's AI Champion Award-including Mobilint, Persona AI, DeepX, HL Mando, Stratio Korea, and Baccatio-attended and shared their opinions on the support needed from the government.

Jaehyung Lee, CEO of Stratio Korea, is speaking at a meeting with the Ministry of Science and ICT held at CES 2026. Photo by Paek Jongmin, Tech Specialist

The participants suggested that it is important to connect follow-up support to the commercialization of technology developed through the Ministry of Science and ICT’s ICT R&D programs. In particular, they emphasized the need for policies that provide connected support for companies that, despite developing outstanding technologies and products-such as winning the CES Innovation Award-fail to overcome the 'death valley' due to a lack of investment or inability to secure references.

Shin Dongju, CEO of Mobilint (left), is speaking at a meeting between the Ministry of Science and ICT and innovative companies held at CES 2026. Photo by Paek Jongmin, Tech Specialist

Shin Dongju, CEO of Mobilint, said, "Through the Ministry of Science and ICT's research projects, we were able to take our first step in developing AI semiconductors," stressing the need for continued and diverse support in the future.

Kim Nokwon, CEO of DeepX, shared, "The Consumer Technology Association, which hosts CES, invited DeepX to participate in the CES Foundry exhibition for the first time alongside Nvidia and AMD," highlighting the elevated status of Korean startups.

Kim Nokwon, CEO of DeepX, is speaking at a meeting with the Ministry of Science and ICT held at CES 2026. Photo by Paek Jongmin, Tech Specialist

Yoo Seungjae, CEO of Persona AI, who also won the CES 2026 Innovation Award, said, "With the support of the Ministry of Science and ICT, we have reached a point where we can pursue an IPO. Such government support, which is rare globally, is producing tangible results."

Jaehyung Lee, CEO of Stratio Korea, stated, "While being a fast follower is important, it is also crucial to lead the market with AI that is different from others."

Baccatio CEO Ji Hyunjun, who operates an accommodation AI app, is speaking at a meeting with the Ministry of Science and ICT. Photo by Tech Specialist

Choi Hankyu, Executive Director at HL Mando, who received the CES 2026 Innovation Award, said, "If we do not change now, we cannot survive. Companies based on traditional industries must transform through AI."

Hong Jinbae, President of IITP, which serves as a partner supporting these innovative companies, said, "We will also work to significantly expand the scale of research projects going forward."

Ryu Jemyoung, Second Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT, remarked, "This is my first time at CES, and there is so much to see. I imagine bundling the products and services created by those present here into a single offering." He added, "We will establish a comprehensive support system-from R&D and commercialization support to large-scale policy fund investments-so that AI innovation startups with unique technologies and products can grow into global companies."