Global Innovation Forum Set to Connect Startups at CES 2026 in Seoul
The Global Innovation Forum, a pivotal event aimed at fostering international collaboration among startups, is generating considerable buzz as it prepares to take center stage at CES 2026 in Seoul. Organized by the Seoul Business Agency (SBA), which is dedicated to revitalizing the startup ecosystem, this forum showcases the best of innovation from seven participating countries and regions, giving emerging startups a global platform to shine.
Set against the backdrop of CES, the world's largest technology exhibition, the Global Innovation Forum promises not only to spotlight innovative solutions but also to facilitate valuable networking opportunities. More than 200 global venture capitalists and media representatives will be present, creating a unique atmosphere for startups to connect and collaborate. The forum aims to transform the experience of participating in CES into concrete business opportunities for startups eager to expand internationally.
The essence of the Global Innovation Forum lies in its commitment to enabling meaningful interactions. By facilitating direct engagement between Seoul-based startups and key players in the global startup ecosystem, the event seeks to highlight promising advancements, aligning innovative startups with potential investors. The forum provides a critical junction for startups aiming to gain traction and leverage their impressive technological capabilities, thereby unlocking new paths for growth on the international stage.
The origins of the Global Innovation Forum can be traced back to its inaugural presentation as the 'Seoul Innovation Forum' in 2025, which successfully united national pavilions from Japan, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Taiwan, and South Korea. This foundational event demonstrated the power of collaboration among different locations, laying the groundwork for subsequent endeavors and affirming the importance of a unified approach for startups eager to compete in the global market.
With the rebranding to the Global Innovation Forum, SBA has increased opportunities for global collaboration. A highlight of the event will be the IR Pitching Competition, where selected startups from each participating country will present their business models and technologies. This competition, enhanced by a panel of distinguished judges from leading venture capital firms, aims to not only promote individual startups through media exposure but also to provide them with crucial business evaluations. This unique approach is designed to facilitate meaningful connections between startups and potential investors, further heightening the chances of financial backing.
This year, the Global Innovation Forum will be a collaborative effort with startup support entities from participating regions: the Republic of Korea, Taiwan, Switzerland, Israel, Japan, Canada, and France. The event will kick off with the IR pitch competition, which is poised to capture the attention of investors and industry experts. By showcasing top startups, the forum will help create connections with global venture capitalists, thereby enhancing the visibility and credibility of participating companies.
As each nation showcases its leading startups, the forum will also include panel discussions where experts will share insights into the latest global trends and support strategies for effective scaling in the startup ecosystem. This knowledge-sharing component will play a critical role in facilitating a deeper understanding of how diverse markets operate, while also nurturing collaborative relationships among countries.
The Global Innovation Forum will also introduce an engaging networking session, fostering an environment for meaningful dialogue between startups, media, and venture capitalists. This aspect of the event is essential to translating participation into tangible business results. Collaborating actors, including startup support organizations, will work together to create new pathways for startup market entry.
Hyunwoo Kim, President and CEO of the Seoul Business Agency, has expressed a visionary approach to the forum's role in integrating the global startup ecosystem. He envisions it becoming a flagship model for international cooperation, offering a promising glimpse into the future of cross-border innovations and collaborations that benefit startup communities worldwide.
In conclusion, the Global Innovation Forum at CES 2026 not only emphasizes the importance of innovation in today's economy but also reinforces the crucial connections that can be forged through strategic collaboration across borders. The event is strictly designed to benefit both the startups involved and the larger entrepreneurial environment, ensuring that they are well-positioned for success in the competitive global landscape.
Set against the backdrop of CES, the world's largest technology exhibition, the Global Innovation Forum promises not only to spotlight innovative solutions but also to facilitate valuable networking opportunities. More than 200 global venture capitalists and media representatives will be present, creating a unique atmosphere for startups to connect and collaborate. The forum aims to transform the experience of participating in CES into concrete business opportunities for startups eager to expand internationally.
The essence of the Global Innovation Forum lies in its commitment to enabling meaningful interactions. By facilitating direct engagement between Seoul-based startups and key players in the global startup ecosystem, the event seeks to highlight promising advancements, aligning innovative startups with potential investors. The forum provides a critical junction for startups aiming to gain traction and leverage their impressive technological capabilities, thereby unlocking new paths for growth on the international stage.
The origins of the Global Innovation Forum can be traced back to its inaugural presentation as the 'Seoul Innovation Forum' in 2025, which successfully united national pavilions from Japan, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Taiwan, and South Korea. This foundational event demonstrated the power of collaboration among different locations, laying the groundwork for subsequent endeavors and affirming the importance of a unified approach for startups eager to compete in the global market.
With the rebranding to the Global Innovation Forum, SBA has increased opportunities for global collaboration. A highlight of the event will be the IR Pitching Competition, where selected startups from each participating country will present their business models and technologies. This competition, enhanced by a panel of distinguished judges from leading venture capital firms, aims to not only promote individual startups through media exposure but also to provide them with crucial business evaluations. This unique approach is designed to facilitate meaningful connections between startups and potential investors, further heightening the chances of financial backing.
This year, the Global Innovation Forum will be a collaborative effort with startup support entities from participating regions: the Republic of Korea, Taiwan, Switzerland, Israel, Japan, Canada, and France. The event will kick off with the IR pitch competition, which is poised to capture the attention of investors and industry experts. By showcasing top startups, the forum will help create connections with global venture capitalists, thereby enhancing the visibility and credibility of participating companies.
As each nation showcases its leading startups, the forum will also include panel discussions where experts will share insights into the latest global trends and support strategies for effective scaling in the startup ecosystem. This knowledge-sharing component will play a critical role in facilitating a deeper understanding of how diverse markets operate, while also nurturing collaborative relationships among countries.
The Global Innovation Forum will also introduce an engaging networking session, fostering an environment for meaningful dialogue between startups, media, and venture capitalists. This aspect of the event is essential to translating participation into tangible business results. Collaborating actors, including startup support organizations, will work together to create new pathways for startup market entry.
Hyunwoo Kim, President and CEO of the Seoul Business Agency, has expressed a visionary approach to the forum's role in integrating the global startup ecosystem. He envisions it becoming a flagship model for international cooperation, offering a promising glimpse into the future of cross-border innovations and collaborations that benefit startup communities worldwide.
In conclusion, the Global Innovation Forum at CES 2026 not only emphasizes the importance of innovation in today's economy but also reinforces the crucial connections that can be forged through strategic collaboration across borders. The event is strictly designed to benefit both the startups involved and the larger entrepreneurial environment, ensuring that they are well-positioned for success in the competitive global landscape.
Topics Consumer Technology）
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