K-Startup Pavilion at CES 2026 Signs Contracts Worth 2.6 Billion KRW

1,446 Consultations and 35 MOUs Signed

The K-Startup Pavilion, which participated in CES 2026, the world’s largest electronics and IT exhibition, signed contracts worth 2.6 billion KRW during the exhibition period.

From the 6th to the 9th (local time), officials from the K-Startup Pavilion participating in CES 2026 held in Las Vegas, USA, are taking a group photo. Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development

On January 13, the Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development announced that the K-Startup Pavilion, which participated in CES 2026 held in Las Vegas, USA from January 6 to 9 (local time), concluded the event with a variety of achievements.

This year marked the sixth edition of the K-Startup Pavilion, which was organized by the Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development in collaboration with 19 local governments and public institutions nationwide, and featured 81 outstanding startup companies. As a result, 11 startups participating in the pavilion received the CES Innovation Award, and among them, three companies won the highest honor of the exhibition, the Best of Innovation Award.

As of January 9, the K-Startup Pavilion recorded 1,446 consultations, resulting in actual contracts worth 2.6 billion KRW. In addition, 35 memorandums of understanding (MOUs) and proof of concept (PoC) agreements were signed, marking tangible achievements.

The opening ceremony of this year’s pavilion was attended by Noh Yongseok, First Vice Minister of SMEs and Startups; Yoo Jongpil, President of the Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development; Kinsey Fabrizio, President of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA); and Shelley Berkley, Mayor of Las Vegas. Mayor Berkley presented a commendation to the Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development in recognition of its contributions to the development of the Korea-US startup ecosystem and the exhibition. This marks the second such recognition, following last year’s commendation from the Lieutenant Governor of Nevada.

On the main stage of CES 2026, “IR pitching” sessions were held continuously to showcase the innovative technological capabilities of participating companies. There were also “VC seminars,” where leading local investors shared their know-how for entering the US market, as well as the “K-STARTUP NIGHT” networking event attended by Daniel Montano, Chairman of the Western US Investors Association. Participating companies also toured the main exhibition halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) with experts to review key technology trends.

President Yoo Jongpil stated, “This year marks the beginning of artificial intelligence (AI) being integrated into the physical world and reflected in industries, and our startups have demonstrated world-class competitiveness at the center of this trend. We will focus all our policy capabilities to ensure that the business agreements and consultations made on-site lead to export contracts and increased sales.”