CES 2026: Korean Companies Win 60% of Innovation Awards, 50% of Best of Innovation Awards

Ahead of CES 2026, the world's largest IT and consumer electronics show, Korean startups have achieved exceptional results. According to the Innovation Awards announced by CES organizers, 168 of the 284 award winners were Korean, accounting for approximately 60%. Of these, 137 were SMEs and startups, demonstrating a shift in focus from large corporations to startups. Notably, Korean companies won 15 of the 30 Best of Innovation awards, 10 of which were won by startups.

It literally swept the innovation awards, but some voices of concern are being raised.

CES 2026 will be held in Las Vegas, USA, from January 6th to 9th. This event will showcase next-generation technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, XR (extended reality), digital healthcare, and autonomous driving. South Korea is expected to participate, with approximately 1,000 companies, the second-largest participation after the US. Excluding a few major corporations like Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, and Doosan Robotics, the majority of the innovations will come from startups.

In the AI category, CityFive, DeepFusion AI, and Doosan Robotics won Best Innovation Awards. Among them, CityFive showcased a wearable AI interface that supports real-time, large-scale multimodal model inference, while DeepFusion AI was recognized for its technological competitiveness with its autonomous driving perception solution that achieves 360-degree perception using only radar. In the XR and content sectors, NationA won Best Innovation Awards in three categories for its AI-based 3D motion generation platform.

Companies from large corporations' in-house venture and investment programs, such as Samsung Electronics C-Lab and Naver D2SF, also achieved notable results. Mangoslab won the Best Innovation Award in the Accessibility category for its AI Braille label printer, and StudioLab was named Best Innovation Award in the XR/Spatial Computing category for its unmanned XR photography system. Since attracting investment from Naver D2SF, StudioLab has been expanding its collaborations with fashion and distribution companies.

Various examples emerged in the wearable and digital healthcare sectors. Geeksloft won an innovation award for its headphone-style wearable device combining a display and camera, while NeurotiX received an innovation award for its personalized electronic medicine platform. Hibo, Otiton Medical, and Humanics have implemented technologies in areas closely related to everyday life, such as on-device AI, pet healthcare, and healthcare robots.

In the environment and sustainability sector, innovations highlighted included drone water quality measurement systems, satellite data-based agricultural monitoring, and carbon capture technology utilizing microalgae. In the mobility and logistics sector, AI-based traffic design, smart tachographs, and electric vehicle fire response solutions garnered attention.

This trend aligns with global technology trends. According to market research firm Gartner, generative AI and autonomous systems are expected to be key growth drivers for the IT industry in the coming years, and AI-based applications are already a key exhibition theme at CES 2026.

This year's CES is attracting attention as a showcase for cutting-edge technologies, focusing on AI, robotics, XR (extended reality), digital healthcare, and autonomous driving. Korea is the second-largest participant country after the United States, with approximately 1,000 companies participating this year.

It's noteworthy that, with the exception of four major corporations—Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, and Doosan Robotics—all the innovation awards went to startups. Korea swept the three top innovation awards in the AI category, with CitiFive ( www.ct5.co.kr ), DeepFusion AI ( www.deep-fusion.com ), and Doosan Robotics. This is evidence that the Korean startup ecosystem has achieved a qualitative leap beyond mere quantitative growth to reach global standards.

Best of Innovation Award Winner

The fruits of collaboration between large corporations
Behind this achievement lies the startup incubation programs of major corporations. Investment and support from major corporations like Samsung Electronics' C-Lab (Creative Lab), Naver's D2 Startup Factory (D2SF), LG Electronics' Super Start, and Kakao Ventures played a crucial role in securing startups' global competitiveness.

Mangoslab ( www.mangoslab.com ), a spin-off from Samsung Electronics' C-Lab, won the Best Innovation Award in the Accessibility category for its AI-powered Braille label printer, the "Nemonic Dot." This innovative product allows even those who don't know Braille to automatically convert and output over 100 languages into Braille using voice or text input. Unlike existing Braille printers, it doesn't require complex PC connections or Braille knowledge, making it easy for even the average person, including caregivers and pharmacists, to use.

Studio Lab ( www.studiolab.ai ), also from C-Lab, won the Best Innovation Award in the 'XR and Spatial Computing' category. 'Zency Studio', an intelligent unmanned filming system that combines AI, robotics, and XR-based media art, recognizes the user's movements in real time without a professional operator and provides the optimal filming composition and environment. Studio Lab attracted 3.3 billion won in pre-Series A investment from Naver D2SF in February of this year and is expanding its business by collaborating with major fashion companies such as LF, W Concept, GS Retail, and Shinsegae.

The progress of startups invested in by Naver D2SF is also noteworthy. In addition to Studio Lab, Gaudio Lab ( www.gaudiolab.com ), Rebuilder AI ( www.rebuilderai.com ), and Wearable AI ( www.whereable.ai ) each won two Innovation Awards.

Gaudio Labs has solidified its position as a global audio technology leader, winning a CES Innovation Award for four consecutive years for its AI-based audio separation/removal/replacement solution, "Gaudio Studio Pro." Rebuilder.AI, a 3D generative AI-based product design and manufacturing data automation solution, has garnered attention for developing the first agent-based AI design system specifically for the footwear industry.

Challenging global standards with AI technology
Korean startups have made notable strides in the AI field. Cit5 (www.ct5.co.kr) won the Best Innovation Award in the AI category for its wearable AI interface, "ZONE HSS1," which supports real-time LMM (Large-Scale Multimodal Model) inference. This wearable device, powered by generative AI for next-generation smart glasses, heralds an era in which AI will become more deeply integrated into our daily lives.

Deep Fusion AI ( www.deep-fusion.com ) won the Best Innovation Award in the AI category for its radar-based autonomous driving perception solution, "RAPA." Unlike existing autonomous driving systems that utilize multiple sensors such as cameras and lidar, RAPA recognizes 360-degree spaces using only radar. It boasts 40% higher accuracy than competing solutions and can operate in edge computing environments, making it suitable for use in autonomous vehicles, logistics robots, and smart city infrastructure. Nation A ( www.nation-a.com ) was honored with three awards. It won the Best Innovation Award in the XR & Spatial Computing, Content & Entertainment, and Mobile categories simultaneously for its AI-based 3D modeling and motion generation platform, "Neuroid Playmaker." The AI, trained on over a billion pieces of human motion data, automatically converts text, voice, and video into 3D motion. This solution can dramatically reduce the time required to create 3D content for games, movies, and the metaverse. Geeksloft ( www.geeksloft.com ) has presented a new paradigm for wearable devices with its "Perisphere," winner of the Best Innovation Award in the "Headphones & Audio" category. These "viewing headphones" integrate an FHD display, dual cameras, and stereo microphones, allowing users to simultaneously listen to music, watch videos, and record videos. Their swing-up/down design allows for hands-free 3D video recording, garnering significant attention from creators and gamers.

Digital healthcare that transforms everyday life
NeurotiX ( www.neurotx.co.kr ) won the Innovation Award in the Digital Health category for its personalized electronic medicine platform that combines AI and neurostimulation technology. 'WillSleep', a sleep disorder solution scheduled to be launched in the first quarter of next year, interprets an individual's biosignals and restores the balance of the autonomic nervous system with customized stimulation. Hybo ( www.hybo.co ) won the Innovation Award for two consecutive years for its ultra-small on-device AI lidar sensor 'iTFS-MINI'. By integrating an NPU (neural processing unit), it is capable of real-time human detection and behavior analysis without an external server. Hybo, which has been through both Samsung C-Lab and LG Super Start, is targeting domestic and international markets by starting mass production of its products in 2022.

Otiton Medical ( www.otiton.com ) won the Innovation Award for two consecutive years for its pet smart thermometer. Equipped with an AI camera, it analyzes images of a pet's eardrum and external auditory canal, and can be linked to a mobile app to detect diseases such as otitis media early. Humanics ( www.humanics.kr ) won the Innovation Award for two consecutive years for its AI healthcare robot, "SEGYM." Founded by Professor Choi Jeong-su of Yeungnam University, this company has independently developed a sensorless force estimation algorithm and human-in-the-loop control technology. This innovative robot utilizes motors instead of heavy weights to achieve a fitness effect.

Technology that considers the environment and sustainability
Doom Doom ( www.dummdumm.co.kr ) won the Best Innovation Award in the Smart Community category for its 5G-based drone water quality measurement system, “Hydro Hawk.” It flies to water areas dangerous for humans to access, collects water quality samples at a desired depth, and immediately analyzes pH, turbidity, etc. on-site. SaeFarm ( www.saefarm.com ) won the Innovation Award in the Sustainability & Energy Transition category for its satellite data-based “SaeFarm AI Satellite Farm Monitor.” Developed with R&D support from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs’ Rural Development Administration, this technology analyzes crop growth status in real time and detects pest outbreaks, water stress, and nutrient deficiencies. With a monthly subscription service of $12, it has proven to reduce farm operating costs by 18% and increase yields by 20% at a 98% lower cost than existing precision agriculture solutions. Phonatures ( www.phonatures.com ) won awards in both the Sustainability and Smart City categories for its biological carbon capture and air purification system that utilizes the photosynthetic action of microalgae. It is an innovative technology that transforms idle urban space into eco-friendly spaces that absorb carbon.

The Future of Mobility, Logistics, and Smart Manufacturing
LBS Tech ( www.lbstech.net ) won the Best Innovation Award in the Travel & Tourism category for its AI-based transportation connectivity design system, "MaaS Bridge." It leverages location intelligence and predictive algorithms to determine optimal pickup, drop-off, and transfer points.

Glec ( www.glec.io ) won the Innovation Award in the Supply & Logistics category for its "GLEC AI Tachograph," the world's first smart tachograph equipped with a 20B parameter LLM. This solution, which performs real-time AI inference using 4-bit quantization technology, integrates truck safety and carbon management. MetaMobility ( www.meta-mobility.io ) won the Innovation Award in the Human Security category for its AI-based mobility safety prediction system. They developed predictive safety technology that predicts anomalies in electrified mobility, including electric and autonomous vehicles.

The Keeper ( www.thekeeper.co.kr ) won the Innovation Award for its electric vehicle fire response solution based on AI fire detection and cooling control technology. This startup, located in the Eunpyeong Startup Support Center, has developed a technology that secures the golden time for electric vehicle fires by advancing its technology through industry-academic collaboration with Yonsei University. Common Link ( www.commonlink.kr ) won the Innovation Award in the Smart Community category for its "SWAVI Invisible Touch Controller," the world's first sound-based touch interface technology. Based in Wonju, Gangwon Province, this innovative technology analyzes surface friction sounds using AI to recognize fingertip gestures. AI Biz ( www.ai-biz.net ) won the Innovation Award for its semiconductor manufacturing AI diagnostic system. AI Biz, an AI-based manufacturing process diagnostic company, has been recognized for its technological prowess by winning the Grand Prize in the "AI Manufacturing Solution" category at the Korea Artificial Intelligence Innovation Awards and being selected as a Next-Generation World-Class Product.

Innovation Awards winners

※ Overall statistics : 168 Korean Innovation Awards (60% of 284 total), 15 Best Innovation Awards (50% of 30 total), 10 Best Startup Innovation Awards

Korean startups are experiencing rapid growth thanks to the support of a public-private ecosystem.
The "K-Startup Integrated Pavilion," operated by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Korea Institute of Startups and Entrepreneurship Development (KIDED), celebrated its sixth anniversary this year. Located within Eureka Park, the integrated pavilion showcased 81 startups, 11 of which received innovation awards. This achievement, including three Best of Innovation awards, is the culmination of four seminars conducted by KIDED for CES participants. These included strategies for winning innovation awards, training on the US market, and sharing expertise from established companies.

During the exhibition, events such as "K-Startup Night," "Investment Presentation (IR Pitching)," and "Local Investor Seminars" will be held, providing practical export and investment opportunities. Yoo Jong-pil, President of the Korea Institute of Startups & Entrepreneurship Development, stated, "It is significant that Korean startups have secured top innovation awards and established technological supremacy in the US, a fiercely contested battleground for technological innovation."

The advancement of Korean startups at CES 2026 goes beyond mere awards. The trifecta of in-house venture programs at large corporations, strategic investments from venture capitalists, and systematic government support has empowered startups to compete on the global stage.

In particular, the fact that Korean startups have been recognized for their world-class technological prowess in key future technologies such as AI, robotics, and XR demonstrates that Korea is not simply a country that follows technology, but is leaping forward as a leader in global standards.

Minister of SMEs and Startups Han Seong-sook emphasized, “At CES 2026, our venture and startup companies achieved excellent results, demonstrating Korea’s future growth-leading technological prowess on the global stage,” and added, “The government will actively support these companies so that they can grow further in the global market.”

CES 2026 is expected to be a stage that demonstrates that the Korean startup ecosystem has achieved a qualitative leap beyond quantitative growth. This achievement, jointly achieved by large corporations, startups, and the government, is expected to mark a new beginning for K-startups, establishing them as a center of global innovation.