Ulsan Center for Creative Economy & Innovation's 5 Incubated Startups Win CES 2026 Innovation Award

Innovations from Ulsan have captivated the global stage. Five startups (CrossHub, DataFlare, StellarVision, RePLA, Eight Tech) nurtured by Ulsan Creative Economy Innovation Center (Ulsan Center) won numerous Innovation Awards at 'CES 2026,' the world's largest consumer electronics and IT exhibition, proving their global technological prowess. In particular, CrossHub was honored with the Best of Innovation Award. The CES Innovation Award, presented annually after a rigorous evaluation of technological prowess and innovation prior to CES, signifies global recognition in itself. Looking at the award-winning works: CrossHub's 'Financial Passport,' which clinched the most prestigious Best of Innovation Award, is a blockchain-based identity verification and simple payment service for short-term foreign visitors. It is expected to revolutionize the experience of foreign users navigating complex domestic infrastructure (delivery, public transportation, accommodation, etc.). DataFlare earned an Innovation Award for 'Port Guardian AI,' an AI-based ship identification and carbon emission monitoring platform. It contributes to marine environmental protection and efficient ship management, receiving global recognition for its technology and growth potential. StellarVision was honored with an award for 'StellarRescue,' a compact indoor rescue radar combining AI and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology. This device is an innovative solution that helps firefighters quickly locate isolated survivors in disaster areas. The technology is expected to be widely utilized in disaster response, urban monitoring, smart infrastructure management, and more. RePLA contributed to a sustainable future with 'Puri-Checker,' a material content scanner for recycled plastic flakes. It maximizes recycling efficiency by accurately identifying 9 types of plastics, colors, and metal particles through optical recognition and deep learning software. Eight Tech's 'Multi-Tron' was recognized for its innovation as a mobile AI resource circulation solution. This system sorts and collects waste on-site in urban living spaces using AI and robot technology, setting a new standard for future urban resource circulation infrastructure. Kim Heon-seong, CEO of Ulsan Creative Economy Innovation Center, emphasized, "These awards are just the beginning. We will spare no effort in providing follow-up support to help these startups not only win awards but also successfully enter the global market and achieve sustained growth." Innovations from Ulsan are now ready to make an even greater leap onto the global stage.