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Busan Metropolitan City Steps Up Drive to Become a “Global Innovation Hub City” at CES 2026

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Busan Metropolitan City Mayor Park Heong-joon announced that at CES 2026, the world’s largest consumer electronics and IT exhibition, Busan Metropolitan City will operate an expanded integrated Busan pavilion compared to last year, stepping up its drive to become a global innovation hub city.

At CES 2026 in Las Vegas, Busan Metropolitan City will run a total of 30 exhibition booths—expanded from last year—and, in cooperation with six local universities (Kyungsung University, Pukyong National University, Dong-A University, Dong-eui University, Korea Maritime & Ocean University, and Pusan National University), will present its largest-ever lineup of innovations.

The integrated Busan pavilion will open with a ceremony on January 6 and will operate through January 9 inside the Global Pavilion and within “TEAM BUSAN” 2. Together with city-affiliated institutions, Busan Metropolitan City plans to intensively promote the next-generation flagship products of 28 innovative companies and to systematically support their entry into global markets.

Participating companies will take part in a range of business programs—such as IR (Investor Relations) sessions for corporate investment attraction and one-on-one (1:1) business briefings and meetups with global investors (VC) and buyers—thereby pursuing tangible overseas market development.

<Participating Companies at the Integrated Busan Pavilion> - Korea LFP - CIT - Resol - iKUKA - Newrizon - DataFlare - TwoHands Interactive - SignLab - JJ & Companies - SharpenGOT - SlashBSlash - Double O - Tiger AI - Total Softbank - COAI - MarinaChain - Ilju G&S - Erooty - O2Lab - Vision Tech (Dong-eui University) - Busan Digital Asset Exchange (Kyungsung University) - Marine Drone Technology (Korea Maritime & Ocean University) - Unis (Dong-A University) - Christine Company (Dong-eui University) - ZenLife (Pusan National University) - Heart Saver (Pukyong National University) - NF (Dong-A University) - iBIZ (Kyungsung University)

This year, local universities showcased specialized innovative technologies together with companies and shared joint research outcomes, demonstrating tangible results of the “industry–academia–government integrated model” on site. In addition, 14 student supporters from Dong-A University who are active locally are drawing the attention of buyers and visitors and are playing a vibrant role as the driving force behind “TEAM BUSAN” 2.

The student supporters thoroughly studied the technologies and products of their matched participating companies prior to departure, and on site they are serving as a bridge enabling companies to continue substantive contract discussions by providing professional business interpretation and consultation support.

A representative of the Dong-A University student supporters at CES 2026 said, “It was a very meaningful experience to directly showcase the outstanding technological capabilities and potential of Busan companies on site,” adding, “I hope excellent local companies that are competitive in the global market will grow further, quality jobs will increase, and an environment will be created where young people can pursue their dreams in Busan.”

In particular, Busan Metropolitan City achieved a record-high result at CES 2026, with 13 Busan-based companies winning the “CES Innovation Awards,” including “Best of Innovation,” proving that Busan companies’ technologies are fully competitive in the global market.

This year, the achievement of winning a total of 13 Innovation Awards—including two Best of Innovation awards—overwhelmingly surpasses the previous record of seven Innovation Awards in 2025, firmly establishing Busan companies’ technological leadership worldwide.

Mayor Park Heong-joon emphasized, “Following the first standalone pavilion operation at CES 2025, this year’s record-setting results are evidence that Busan is leaping forward as a ‘global hub city,’” adding, “The experience and networks accumulated each year by TEAM BUSAN will become a major asset for local companies to grow into leading players on the world stage.”

He also stated, “Going forward, we will further strengthen industry–academia–government cooperation based on artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced industries, and we will spare no effort in providing full support so that Busan’s innovative companies can secure sustained competitiveness in the global market.”