Samsung Electronics hosted its annual C-Lab Startup Demoday on Thursday in Seoul, celebrating the achievements of 30 new companies. The event marked the end of this year’s C-Lab Outside program, a venture initiative that helped these startups secure a combined 34.5 billion won ($23.5 million) in investment.
Samsung launched C-Lab in 2012 to help its employees develop creative ideas. In 2018, the company expanded the program to support external startups. Since then, it has widened its net to include regions like Daegu and Gwangju, aiming to boost local economies and create jobs. The 30 companies in this year’s batch focused heavily on artificial intelligence, robotics, and eco-friendly technology.
Samsung President Park Seung-hee kicked off the event with a clear message about the future. He noted that global competition is getting tougher as the AI era begins. He told the audience that fostering strong startups is essential if Korea wants to take its economy to the next level. Park promised that Samsung would keep investing in these small businesses to help them grow.
The results show the program is working. Beyond the funding they raised, these startups hired 218 new employees this year. Several founders took the stage to explain how they are already working with Samsung. Aidin Robotics described how it is developing sensors for Samsung’s factories and supplying parts to Rainbow Robotics. GeoGrid presented a water purification system that Samsung is currently using at its Suwon campus. Other presenters included climate tech firm Thanks Carbon and SOFNT, a company trying to put its advanced nanofibers into Samsung products.
Successful graduates from previous years also returned to share their progress. WRTN, a generative AI platform, highlighted its recent 130 billion won investment.
Looking ahead, Samsung says next year’s program will focus even more on “deep tech.” The company plans to look for early-stage teams building advanced AI to create stronger business partnerships.
