Samsung's C-Lab programme reaches 1,000 supported ventures, helping startups attract $1.6 billion in cumulative investment while expanding technology partnerships and regional innovation.
Samsung Electronics has supported the development of 1,000 startups and internal ventures through its C-Lab programme, helping participating companies attract a cumulative investment of 2.2 trillion won (approximately $1.6 billion). The milestone highlights the company's efforts to strengthen South Korea's startup ecosystem, promote technology commercialisation and create business opportunities through collaboration between emerging companies and established industries.
Samsung announced the achievement on November 10, 2026, during its 2026 C-Lab Startup Demo Day at the company's Seoul R&D Campus in Seocho-gu, Seoul. The programme has supported 434 internal venture projects and 566 external startups since its launch in 2012. The event showcased the progress of 30 startups from the eighth cohort of C-Lab Outside, which received support from Samsung over the past year.
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Of the 30 startups selected for the latest cohort, 15 are conducting technology verification projects with Samsung Electronics. These proof-of-concept initiatives enable emerging companies to test their technologies against industry requirements and explore potential commercial partnerships. The company is also identifying additional opportunities to integrate startup innovations into its business operations and technology development activities.
The participating startups operate across several emerging technology areas, including artificial intelligence, robotics, multimodal computing and advanced materials. Six companies presented their technologies and business collaboration experiences during the event. They included Config Intelligence, which develops data technologies for training and deploying robotic AI systems; PiaSpace, a multimodal AI company; and Nano Forge AI, which specialises in AI-powered automation for new material design and synthesis.
Samsung is also expanding the geographical reach of its startup development activities. Since 2023, it has operated regional C-Lab Outside hubs in Daegu, Gwangju and North Gyeongsang Province to identify promising businesses beyond the Seoul metropolitan area. Twelve of the 30 startups in the eighth cohort are regional companies, receiving support comparable to that offered to Seoul-based participants.
Under C-Lab Outside, selected startups can receive business support funding of up to 100 million won without surrendering equity, along with dedicated office space, expert consulting and opportunities to participate in domestic and international exhibitions. Samsung also provides access to its industry expertise and potential business partnerships. After the programme, companies can continue receiving growth support through the C-Lab Family initiative.
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Samsung introduced C-Lab Inside in December 2012 to encourage employees to develop innovative business ideas. It subsequently established a spin-off system in 2015 and launched C-Lab Outside in 2018 to support external startups. The company plans to continue expanding the initiative through collaboration with government bodies, regional institutions and industry partners, strengthening opportunities for emerging businesses to attract investment and commercialise technologies.