Samsung Electronics is set to make a significant impact at the upcoming CES 2026, with plans to showcase a record-breaking 15 startups nurtured through its flagship C-Lab innovation program. This year's delegation is notable for featuring the largest-ever contingent of participants from regional Korean cities outside the capital, Seoul, highlighting a strategic push to decentralize technological innovation.
A Record-Breaking Regional Showcase
The cohort, which spans cutting-edge fields from artificial intelligence and robotics to digital health, will exhibit at the Eureka Park within the Venetian Expo from January 6 to 9, 2026. The group's credibility is underscored by the fact that its technologies have recently been honored with 17 CES Innovation Awards, including two prestigious Best of Innovation accolades.
This diverse lineup comprises eight startups from the C-Lab Outside program, four from Samsung Financial Networks' fintech incubation initiative, two from the internal C-Lab Inside venture program, and one project jointly incubated with the Daegu Creative Economy Innovation Center. The participation of seven regional startups from Daegu, Gwangju, and Gyeongbuk province marks a milestone, reflecting Samsung's expanded strategy to strengthen local innovation ecosystems without forcing founders to relocate to Seoul.
Spotlight on Award-Winning Regional Innovation
Among the standout regional entrants is Gyeongbuk-based Repla, which secured a CES Innovation Award for its Puri-Checker. This device analyzes plastic composition ratios to enhance recycling efficiency. Other notable startups from outside Seoul include Stress Solution, with its AI-powered mental care sound platform; Deepscent, offering an AI-driven digital scent solution; and Elevenliter, which provides AI diagnostics for pet diseases.
"For a regional startup, collaborating with a global company like Samsung has been a valuable opportunity," said Dong-eun Seo, CEO of Repla. "Plastic recycling is a global challenge and CES provides an important platform to explore international market opportunities."
Fintech and AI Projects Take Center Stage
In a first for the program, four startups from the Samsung Financial C-Lab Outside initiative will participate at CES. These include Selectstar's AI evaluation platform, Datumo's cyber risk modeling tool, WINNING.I's biometric identity verification system, and Pillsang's real-time phishing detection solution.
The showcase is rounded out by two AI-driven projects from the internal C-Lab Inside program: ChronoMix for intelligent video composition and EZ Reco for personalized electronics recommendations.
Since its inception in 2012, the Samsung-powered C-Lab has incubated approximately 959 projects and startups. Its focused effort on regional development has seen it support 40 regional startups since 2023. The program provides crucial resources like workspace, expert consulting, and collaboration opportunities with Samsung affiliates, aiming to create sustainable innovation cycles across Korea's regions.
