[DigitalToday reporter Suk Dae-geon] Samsung Electronics has begun accepting applications for the ninth cohort of its open startup recruitment programme, C-Lab Outside. Samsung Electronics said on Sunday it will select 30 companies across eight areas including AI, digital health, content and services, robots, materials and components, IoT, mobility and ESG from June 15 to June 26.

C-Lab Outside offers startups up to 100 million won in business support funding without taking an equity stake, along with dedicated office space and free transfer or licensing of Samsung Electronics patents. It also supports participation in global exhibitions such as CES, the world’s largest home appliance trade show, and VivaTech, Europe’s largest startup fair.

From 2012 to the present, Samsung Electronics has fostered 1,000 companies through C-Lab, including 434 in-house ventures and 566 external startups. After introducing its in-house venture programme C-Lab Inside in 2012, it launched C-Lab Outside in 2018 as an external startup nurturing programme. At CES 2026, C-Lab startups won 17 innovation awards, including 2 Best of Innovation awards.

Recruitment will be conducted simultaneously in four regions: Seoul, Daegu, North Gyeongsang Province and Gwangju. Any startup with a corporation registered in South Korea and an investment stage of Series B or below can apply. Applications will be accepted via the Samsung Electronics C-Lab website, and the company plans to announce the final selections in November after screening.

Samsung Electronics will support business meetings with the relevant division and provide proof-of-concept (PoC) technology verification when there is potential for business linkage among selected startups. Of the 30 startups in the seventh cohort last year, 17 conducted PoCs with Samsung Electronics, and the eighth cohort is continuing PoCs, the company said.

Lee Byung-chul (이병철), a vice president and head of Samsung Electronics’ Creative Development Center, said, "Samsung Electronics will support promising domestic startups through C-Lab Outside so they can explore various collaboration opportunities and move into larger markets."