Nurturing Startups
Innovative startups supported by Samsung Electronics are demonstrating their capabilities in the global stage. Samsung Electronics launched the C-Lab, an in-house venture nurturing program, in 2012 to discover creative ideas and support their commercialization. In October this year, Samsung expanded the program to extend its support to startups outside of the company.
The Korean tech giant announced on Dec. 26 that it will showcase the best AI-based C-Lab projects at CES 2019, the world's largest electronics show to be held in Las Vegas from Jan. 8 to 11 next year.
The company plans to set up a C-Lab exhibition hall at the Eureka Park in G Hall on the first floor of the Sands Expo in Las Vegas and showcase eight in-house projects. Eight startup companies that have been spun off from the C-Lab program will also participate in the exhibition.
The C-Lab projects to be shown at the coming CES include: “Tisplay,” a virtual advertising service for personal broadcasting creators; “MEDEO,” a real-time video production service; “aiMo,” a smartphone-using ASMR recording solution; “PRISMIT,” an AI-based news flow analysis service; “Perfume Blender,” a custom perfume making solution; “Girin Monitor Stand,” a posture-correcting monitor stand; “alight,” an AI desk light that enhances learning experience; and “Snail Sound,” a smartphone hearing aid solution for people with hearing loss.
In addition, eight spin-off companies from the C-Lab are participating in the exhibition to target the overseas market, which include: “MOPIC,” a 3D video service that allows a user to watch 3D content without wearing glasses; “LINKFLOW,” a wearable, neckband type 360 degree camera with the first-person viewpoint; “lululab,” an artificial intelligence solution for facial skin analysis and care; "WELT," a healthcare-focused smart belt; "Cooljam Company," a video background music composition service; "MONIT," a smart baby monitor; "analog plus," a smart communication device for helmet users; and "BLUEFEEL," aportable air purifier.
Samsung said that starting with portable smart printer maker Mangoslab winning the best innovation award at CES 2017, three C-Lab spin-off companies were awarded with CES innovation awards and recognized for their technologies.
In particular, LINKFLOW won the innovation award in digital imaging photography for two consecutive years for the wearable camera Fit 360 last year and Fit 360 Connect this year. In addition, MOPIC’s Snap3D Case and lululab’s LUMINI each received the CES Innovation Award.
Samsung Electronics started C-Lab in December 2012 to build a culture of innovation and discover creative ideas of employees. The program has discovered and developed 220 ideas so far.
Through the C-Lab startup projects, 36 spin-off companies have been established. In October, Samsung Electronics announced plans to promote the innovative startup businessmen and discover external startup companies through the C-Lab Outside program to strengthen the startup ecosystem in Korea.