Seoul Business Agency Aims to Elevate Global Startup Collaboration at CES
Hyunwoo Kim, the President and CEO of the Seoul Business Agency (SBA), articulated a vision at the 2025 Seoul Innovation Forum aimed at transforming this event into a pivotal collaboration model that unites the global startup ecosystem through CES.
LAS VEGAS — As CES 2026 kicks off, the global technology sphere converges once more in Las Vegas, showcasing an array of innovative advancements. Notably, an internationally-oriented startup event is set to unfold off the main exhibition floor.
The Global Innovation Forum 2026 (GIF 2026) is scheduled for January 7 at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas. This gathering will assemble startups, venture capitalists, media representatives, and government-sponsored innovation agencies from seven diverse nations for an evening characterized by pitching, discussions, and strategic deal-making.
Organized by the Seoul Business Agency in partnership with national pavilions at CES, GIF 2026 serves as a platform for cross-border collaboration, aimed at aiding nascent companies in broadening their market horizons.
Participating countries at GIF 2026 will include South Korea, Canada, Switzerland, Israel, Japan, Taiwan, and France. This array reflects a rich tapestry of innovation spanning hardware, software, artificial intelligence, mobility, health technology, and enterprise solutions.
Each nation will present one selected startup for the event’s IR Pitching Competition, featuring succinct presentations focused on attracting global venture capital and strategic partnerships.
Subsequently, a panel discussion will convene stakeholders from the startup ecosystem, illuminating insights on international expansion, investment tendencies, and market collaborative prospects.
This discussion promises to transcend superficial demonstrations and delve into the multifaceted challenges startups face in scaling amidst ever-evolving regulatory, funding, and supply chain landscapes.
The pitch competition will not only showcase individual startups but also highlight the various policy frameworks, funding climates, and commercialization strategies influencing innovation across diverse regions. Kiseok Cha
Kiseok Cha, head of the SBA’s Future Strategy division, emphasized that his organization operates under the auspices of the Seoul Metropolitan Government, dedicated to discovering and fostering promising startups.
“We provide an array of programs for startups and SAMEs, particularly in sectors such as IT, AI, biotechnology, design, and cultural content,” he stated.
“Our core activities encompass comprehensive support, global business development, technological advancement, talent cultivation, and facilitation for creative industries.”
The Global Innovation Forum evolves from the Seoul Innovation Forum, which premiered last year at CES 2025, featuring participation from five nations: Japan, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the Republic of Korea.
Having attended CES for several years, Cha noted the various national pavilions and pondered the potential for collaborative endeavors to amplify support for startups.
We initiated conversations with diverse countries, and the momentum escalated from there, Cha recounted.
It began last year as the Seoul Innovation Forum, with SBA facilitating the entry of countries into that ecosystem. As more nations expressed interest, we recognized the opportunity for expansion, leading to the rebranding as the Global Innovation Forum.”
This revamped forum has broadened its scope to encompass additional national pavilions, while reinforcing support programs designed to forge long-term global partnerships, according to Cha.
The highlight of the forum, the IR Pitching Competition, has been enhanced through a panel including executives from leading global venture capital firms.
This strategy aims to provide participating companies with avenues for accelerated growth, increased brand visibility, and tangible investment and market validation—all within a singular venue.
“Our aspirations extend beyond the confines of this event,” he asserted. “We envision enduring collaborations with other countries, investment prospects, educational initiatives, and networking programs. We are committed to realizing a truly international scale for both CES and subsequent engagements.”
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