Samsung to Bring 15 C-Lab Startups to CES 2026 as Regional Founders Gain Global Exposure

AI, robotics and digital health ventures from across Korea to showcase at Eureka Park in Las Vegas

Samsung Electronics will showcase 15 startups from its C-Lab incubation programmes at CES 2026, as early-stage companies increasingly look to global trade shows to attract investors, customers and strategic partners.

The consumer electronics and IT exhibition will run from January 6 to 9 in Las Vegas. Samsung said the startups will exhibit at Eureka Park inside the Venetian Expo, the section of CES where venture-backed startups typically debut new products and seek international market entry.

A broad pipeline of early-stage companies

The participating startups reflect multiple stages of Samsung’s incubation strategy. They include eight companies from C-Lab Outside, two internal ventures spun out of C-Lab Inside, one startup supported through a joint programme with the Daegu Center for Creative Economy and Innovation, and four fintech and data-focused firms backed by Samsung Financial Networks.

The companies are working across artificial intelligence, robotics and digital health—sectors that continue to draw investor interest amid slowing funding conditions in parts of the global startup market.

Regional founders take a larger role

Seven of the 15 startups are based outside Seoul, coming from Daegu, Gwangju and North Gyeongsang Province. Samsung expanded C-Lab Outside to regional hubs in 2023, allowing startups to access corporate-backed incubation while remaining in local ecosystems.

For founders, CES offers rare exposure to international buyers and partners that regional accelerators often struggle to provide, particularly in deep tech and enterprise-focused sectors.

Awards provide early validation

Ahead of the event, C-Lab startups received 17 Innovation Awards at the CES 2026 Innovation Awards, including two Best of Innovation honours, according to the Consumer Technology Association.

Both Best of Innovation winners—MangoSlab and StudioLab—originated from Samsung’s internal C-Lab Inside programme before becoming independent startups, highlighting the role of corporate spin-offs in Korea’s early-stage ecosystem.

Samsung’s CES strategy

At CES, Asian conglomerates such as Samsung, Sony and LG increasingly use startup zones not only for brand visibility but as soft-landing platforms for early-stage companies entering global markets. Samsung’s approach differs in scale and continuity: its C-Lab programme has supported 959 startups and internal ventures since 2012, with plans to exceed 1,000 next year.

Lee Byung-chul, executive director and head of Samsung Electronics’ Creativity Development Center, said CES helps startups test market response beyond Korea.

“Samsung supports C-Lab startups through CES as a platform to validate innovative technologies and build momentum for global growth,” Lee said.

Conclusion

For startups, participation at CES is less about exhibition presence and more about access—to investors, enterprise customers and global networks. Samsung’s expanding C-Lab presence at CES 2026 reflects how corporate-backed incubation is becoming a key route for Asian startups seeking international scale, particularly as venture funding becomes more selective.

Quick Takeaways

• Samsung-backed startups go global: Fifteen early-stage companies from Samsung’s C-Lab programmes will showcase at CES 2026, using the event as a launchpad for international exposure.
• Regional founders gain visibility: A record seven startups from Daegu, Gwangju and North Gyeongsang Province will participate, reflecting Samsung’s push to decentralise Korea’s startup ecosystem.
• Focus on capital-attractive sectors: The startups span AI, robotics and digital health—areas that continue to draw investor interest despite tighter global funding conditions.
• External validation matters: C-Lab companies secured 17 CES 2026 Innovation Awards, including two Best of Innovation honours, offering early third-party credibility for young ventures.
• Corporate incubation as a scaling route: Samsung’s C-Lab highlights how large Asian corporates are increasingly acting as gateways for startups seeking access to global markets, partners and customers.