Samsung C-Lab has nurtured 1,000 startups ... Commercialization and revenue growth bear fruit

[Financial News] “As both a partner and a customer of Samsung Electronics, we were able to validate our technology all the way to the product stage, and on that basis, our projected annual revenue for this year has grown to 30 times last year’s level.”
Seo Min-jun, CEO of Config Intelligence, a startup in the eighth cohort of C-Lab Outside nurtured by Samsung Electronics, made the remarks on the 10th at the “2026 C-Lab Startup Demo Day,” held at Samsung Electronics’ Seoul R&D Campus in Seocho District, Seoul.
The event was organized to share the technologies and achievements of 30 startups in the eighth cohort of C-Lab Outside, which Samsung Electronics has nurtured over the past year. Half of the participating companies—15 in total—are conducting technology validation with Samsung Electronics.
Config Intelligence is developing technology with Samsung Electronics to convert human hand-motion data into training data for a robotic hand with five fingers. In recognition of its technological capabilities, it was the only startup in the eighth cohort to secure direct investment from Samsung Electronics.
Piaspace, an artificial intelligence (AI) company specializing in closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage analysis, shared its experience taking part in consulting linked to Samsung Electronics’ Win-Win Cooperation Academy, where it received advice on development and quality and refined its business strategy. Piaspace developed and commercialized an on-device AI box and has begun selling it to places including landfills in Daegu.
Park Seong-hyeok, deputy CEO of Piaspace, said, “Through the Samsung Human Resources Development Center’s Creative Problem Solving (CPS) program, we were able to rethink the company’s decision-making processes and product-planning methods from the customer’s perspective,” adding, “It seems to have been a great help that the consulting did not end with a simple report but led to actual products and revenue.”
Nam Seong-u, CEO of Doctors Biotech, which is nearing regulatory approval for a medical device, said, “Through this support program, we were able to establish our personnel and work systems and lay the groundwork for generating cash flow over the medium to long term,” adding, “If there were a follow-up program such as Post-C-Lab, we would be able to clearly demonstrate our results.”
Samsung Electronics launched C-Lab Inside in 2012 to commercialize ideas from its employees, and in 2018 it launched C-Lab Outside to support external startups. Through this year, it has supported a total of 1,000 projects, including 434 in-house venture projects and 566 external startups.
For startups selected for C-Lab Outside, Samsung Electronics provides business support funding of up to 100 million won and office space without taking an equity stake. It also offers tailored consulting for each stage of growth, business collaboration with Samsung Electronics, and support for participating in domestic and international exhibitions.
Samsung Electronics plans to identify innovative startups through C-Lab and support their growth by leveraging its accumulated technological and business capabilities. Park Seung-hee, Samsung Electronics president in charge of CR, said, “C-Lab has contributed to revitalizing Korea’s startup ecosystem, guided by Samsung’s philosophy of shared growth: ‘growing together and sharing prosperity.’ We will continue to join hands with the government, the National Assembly, local governments, and regional innovation organizations, and become both a springboard for startups to grow further and a partner in pioneering the future together.”

[email protected] Park Ji-yeon Reporter