Cross-Border Startup Collaboration Redefined by Global Innovation Forum at CES

Each year, CES brings the global technology ecosystem together under one roof unveiling breakthrough products, surfacing emerging trends, and setting the tone for innovation in the year ahead. As technology becomes more interconnected and global by default, the challenges facing startups today transcend mere visibility.

Success hinges on access to partners, capital, markets, and meaningful collaboration. This is precisely what the Global Innovation Forum (GIF) aims to address.

Returning to CES in 2026 for its second official iteration, the Global Innovation Forum is quickly emerging as one of the show’s most important platforms for structured, cross-border startup collaboration. Designed to move beyond traditional exhibition models, GIF is positioning itself as a catalyst for long-term global partnerships—bringing together national startup ecosystems, investors, and innovators in one unified forum.

From Seoul Innovation Forum to a Global Stage

The roots of the Global Innovation Forum trace back to CES 2025, when the event debuted under the name Seoul Innovation Forum. The original concept was both simple and strategic: leverage CES (the world’s largest and most influential technology exhibition) as a neutral, high-impact platform where national startup ecosystems could connect organically.

That inaugural forum was organized in collaboration with five countries participating in Eureka Park: Japan, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Taiwan, and South Korea. Notably, it marked the first event jointly created by multiple national pavilions at CES, introducing a new model of international cooperation within the show.

What made the forum stand out was who attended and how it was structured. Rather than functioning as a networking side event or promotional showcase, the Seoul Innovation Forum brought together pavilion officials, ecosystem leaders, and startups for direct dialogue around collaboration. A live IR pitching competition, featuring startups selected from each participating country, added a practical layer by turning conversations into opportunities.

The response was immediate and overwhelmingly positive. Participants saw value in having a space that went beyond exhibition booths, offering a framework for sustained cooperation between countries and ecosystems. The demand was clear: CES needed a platform focused on inter-country collaboration, not just parallel national showcases.

The Evolution into the Global Innovation Forum

Building on that momentum, the forum was officially restructured and renamed the Global Innovation Forum for CES 2026. The rebrand reflects more than a name change—it signals a broader mission and a more ambitious scope.

Participation has expanded significantly. In 2026, eight countries are expected to take part, with six already confirmed: Switzerland, Israel, Canada, Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea (Seoul). Each participating country has selected startups to compete in the forum’s pitching competition, reinforcing GIF’s role as a curated, high-quality platform rather than an open-access event.

Equally importantly is the structure. Pitching sessions, networking programs, and exchange opportunities have been formalized to ensure startups don’t gain exposure and leave with tangible pathways to global collaboration.

What Sets GIF Apart at CES 2026

One of the most notable upgrades for the 2026 Global Innovation Forum is its significantly strengthened networking and investment focus.

Last year’s inter-country pitching competition proved that startups and national pavilions were eager for deeper engagement. This year, GIF is taking that concept further by introducing global venture capital firms as judges, expanding the forum’s reach beyond media exposure into direct investment consideration.

This shift reflects a broader understanding of where startups are in their lifecycle. Companies exhibiting at CES already demonstrate a certain level of technological maturity and market readiness. GIF’s role is to help bridge the gap between innovation and scale to connect founders with investors, corporates, and institutions that can help them grow internationally.

The networking program has also been deliberately enhanced. Rather than relying on incidental encounters, GIF is designed to facilitate active, structured exchanges among stakeholders across industries and regions. The goal is to foster conversations and spark collaborations that continue well beyond CES week.

Why National Pavilions Are Embracing GIF

The Global Innovation Forum has drawn increasing interest from national pavilions because it addresses a long-standing gap within major global exhibitions. While pavilions are highly effective at showcasing domestic innovation, opportunities for multi-country collaboration in a single setting have traditionally been limited.

GIF changes that equation. By bringing multiple countries together on one platform, the forum allows national representatives to introduce their most promising startups while exploring cross-border partnerships. It also aligns with a broader public mission: strengthening the global startup ecosystem through cooperation rather than isolation.

The pitching competition plays a central role in this appeal. Gains for startups extend beyond booth traffic: they receive international visibility, feedback from global judges, and access to networks that can translate into real growth opportunities. For many companies, participation in GIF represents a more active and outcome-driven approach to CES.

Organizations like the Seoul Business Agency (SBA) are investing heavily in the forum’s content and structure to ensure participating startups can effectively present themselves to global stakeholders, from investors to corporate partners.

A Long-Term Vision Beyond CES

Perhaps the most defining characteristic of the Global Innovation Forum is its long-term ambition. Rather than positioning GIF as a one-off CES event, organizers envision it as a sustained global program that establishes a critical foothold for startups seeking international expansion. Over time, the forum aims to become the representative stage within CES for inter-country cooperation and global startup exchange.

The aspiration is clear: GIF should evolve into an event that startups, media, venture capital firms, and national pavilion officials feel compelled to attend. Not because it’s another item on the CES calendar, but because it offers access to the people and partnerships that shape global innovation.

In that sense, the Global Innovation Forum reflects a broader shift in how success at CES is defined. Visibility still matters, but collaboration matters more. The future belongs to startups that can connect across borders, adapt to global markets, and build alliances early.

As CES continues to serve as the world’s premier technology stage, the Global Innovation Forum is carving out a new role within that prioritizes cooperation over competition, and long-term impact over short-term attention.