Hanyang University Signs MOUs with U.S. Accelerators at CES 2026

Expanding Global Startup and Investment Collaboration

On January 7 (local time), the Startup Support Group at Hanyang University announced on the 13th that it had signed separate memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with global accelerators Elpis Labs and Kaleidoscope Partners at the site of CES 2026, the world's largest IT and technology exhibition, held in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

Ryu Changwan, Director of the Startup Support Group at Hanyang University (left), and Julie Goldthwait, Co-founder of Kaleidoscope Partners, are signing an MOU and posing for a commemorative photo. Hanyang University

This agreement is part of Hanyang University's ongoing strategy to strengthen global industry-academia cooperation and support the overseas expansion of its startups. It is expected to further enhance the practical support infrastructure for Hanyang University startups to enter the U.S. market and scale up globally.

Elpis Labs is a global innovation and startup support organization headquartered in Brooklyn, New York. It specializes in soft-landing programs that help startups enter overseas markets, global corporate and investor matching, and open innovation programs. In particular, it has strengths in acceleration and local network connections for deep tech and artificial intelligence (AI) startups aiming to enter the U.S. market.

Through this agreement, Hanyang University and Elpis Labs plan to gradually implement the following initiatives: joint operation of U.S. market soft-landing and global acceleration programs for Hanyang University startups; open innovation and proof-of-concept (PoC) collaboration connecting U.S. companies and investors; and the co-hosting of demo days and investor relations (IR) events.

Kaleidoscope Partners is a strategy consulting-based professional organization located in Seattle, USA, specializing in execution-focused, customized scaling-up support such as growth strategy development, market entry strategies, and operational and financial advancement. Leveraging a global expert network, it possesses strategic support capabilities focused on delivering tangible results.

Hanyang University and Kaleidoscope Partners plan to strengthen the global competitiveness of Hanyang University startups through collaboration in U.S. market entry and scaling-up strategy consulting, connecting to a global mentor and advisory network, and jointly operating strategy workshops and execution-focused training programs.

Meanwhile, at CES 2026, Hanyang University operated an exhibition hall at the Venetian Expo with 12 booths, showcasing achievements in cutting-edge technology fields such as AI, robotics, and secondary batteries. The Hanyang University CES 2026 delegation, consisting of a total of 72 participants including President Lee Gijeong, faculty, and students, visited the exhibition to assess global technology trends and encourage the challenges taken on by participating companies and students.

President Lee Gijeong of Hanyang University stated, "Participating in this CES was a meaningful opportunity for both students and faculty to experience firsthand how Hanyang University's research achievements and entrepreneurial capabilities are being connected to the global market. Going forward, we will continue to expand a virtuous cycle of education, research, and entrepreneurship centered on advanced fields such as AI, robotics, next-generation semiconductors, and energy, building a continuously growing global innovation ecosystem."