LAS VEGAS/SEOUL, Jan. 7, 2026 – ZER01NE, the open innovation platform of Hyundai Motor Group, is set to spotlight groundbreaking technologies from innovative startups at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026 in Las Vegas, running from January 6 to 9.
Marking its fourth consecutive CES appearance since 2023, ZER01NE collaborated with Hyundai CRADLE to support startups specializing in artificial intelligence (AI), energy, robotics and quantum computing.
"ZER01NE continues to strengthen Hyundai Motor Group’s open innovation capabilities by collaborating with creative partners worldwide. We aim to spotlight the excellence of startups participating in this year’s CES and further contribute to the growth of the global startup ecosystem.” – Kyuseung Keith Noh, Vice President and Head of ZER01NE Group at Hyundai Motor Group
A total of 10 startups fostered by the Group participated in CES 2026. These include one internal startup nurtured through ZER01NE’s Company Builder program, four external startups advanced via the ZER01NE Accelerator, and five companies collaborating with Hyundai CRADLE.
Notably, half of the startups are in partnership with Hyundai CRADLE, highlighting ZER01NE's increasing global influence. These startups are focused on the Group’s key future growth areas of AI, energy and robotics, adding significant relevance to the exhibition.
Through CES 2026, ZER01NE aims to showcase its open innovation initiatives, providing participating startups with opportunities to:
This year’s startups showcase pioneering solutions across energy, AI and robotics:
Since its establishment in 2018, ZER01NE has been fostering both internal and external startups to develop an open innovation ecosystem. The program supports Hyundai Motor Group employees with creative ideas through its ZER01NE Company Builder, which has successfully spun off 40 independent startups to date.
In addition, through the ZER01NE Accelerator, ZER01NE identifies and invests in highly capable external startups, validating and commercializing innovative technologies. To date, it has invested in 109 startups and executed 150 collaborative projects, solidifying its role as a key driver of innovation.
Together, these programs underline ZER01NE’s commitment to fostering impactful innovation both within Hyundai and across the broader startup ecosystem.