Nine South Korean startups participated in the DETO 2026 conference in Seoul to compete for a spot in the Startup Battlefield 200. The companies represent sectors including AI, healthcare, energy, semiconductors, and fintech, with all participants aiming for expansion into the U.S. market.
Voinosis won the competition with its AI voice analysis tool for brain health screening. The technology, which requires less than five minutes per check, demonstrated 88% accuracy in a study of 146 participants. The company is currently raising a Series A round and has secured a strategic investment from a South Korean pharmaceutical firm.
Other participants included Awesome Lab, which produces heating systems using water electrolysis, and Crosshub, a provider of cross-border identity verification and payment services. DeepFusion AI presented a 4D radar imaging system for autonomous mobility, while EFLOW showcased compact high-torque motors for drones and robotics.
Otition Medical demonstrated medical devices for temperature measurement and ear canal imaging, supported by an AI model trained on 55,000 images. Riibotics introduced a rapid warehouse robot deployment service, and Ternell, a semiconductor startup, presented its T-SRAM memory technology that reduces energy consumption for AI chips.
Testbank, an edtech startup, showcased its Solve app, which converts printed study materials into interactive digital formats using AI. The competition highlights the diverse deep tech landscape in South Korea as these early-stage companies prepare for international growth.
