2026 Seongnam Climate Tech Conference Ends With Awards for 16 Firms

Seongnam Climate Tech Conference Closes After Two Days of Awards, Keynotes and Deal-Making

Sixteen climate technology companies were honored at the 2026 Seongnam Climate Tech Conference, which wrapped up Nov. 6 at the Seongnam Climate Tech Support Center in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, nuriilbo.com reported.

The city of Seongnam hosted the event, and the Seongnam Industrial Development Corporation organized it under the theme “S-LAB: Turning Urban Challenges into Climate Tech Opportunities.”

Hexa Energy Takes Top Prize Among 16 Awarded Firms

The corporation used the opening ceremony on Nov. 5 to share the results of its climate tech support program over the past year and to present awards to 16 outstanding companies from this year’s commercialization support project for climate tech small and medium enterprises, nuriilbo.com reported.

Hexa Energy Co. received the grand prize. Three companies took excellence awards: WJ Co., Green Room Co. and InnoQuest Co. Four firms won merit awards, and eight others received leap awards.

Citizen Living Lab Awards Carbon-Neutral Solutions

The conference also held its first awards for the “Citizen Climate Tech Living Lab,” nuriilbo.com reported. Four teams of Seongnam residents spent the year identifying urban challenges that must be solved for carbon neutrality and developing solutions, presenting their results at a final showcase during the event.

The top prize went to a project titled “Automatic Sorting and Compression System Smart Clean Tech Station.”

Global Speakers Frame Cities as Climate Tech Test Beds

Keynote speeches drew strong response, according to nuriilbo.com. Julian Quintart, a broadcaster and EU Climate Action Goodwill Ambassador, addressed "Technology for the Planet: Technology We Want to Use," explaining the need for and potential uses of climate tech from a citizen's perspective.

Day Two Connects Startups With Investors and Big Companies

On Nov. 6, the program shifted to business growth and cross-industry cooperation, nuriilbo.com reported.

Afternoon sessions included investor relations presentations by climate tech companies, one-on-one investment meetings and reverse pitching by large corporations in an open innovation format, followed by a networking session for all participants.

Exhibition and Hands-On Events Draw Visitors

Throughout the two days, 20 climate tech companies ran exhibition and sales booths, nuriilbo.com reported. Fifteen showcased technologies and services, while five sold climate tech products directly to citizens. Visitors also joined a stamp tour, a Climate Tech Special City quiz and an upcycling experience.

Lee Ju-yeon, Seongnam Industrial Development Corporation President, said at the opening ceremony, “This year’s conference was a place to confirm the fruits of one year of putting the ‘Climate Tech Special City Seongnam’ vision into practice on the ground,” adding that the city will treat all of Seongnam as one giant living lab, solving city problems citizens feel with companies’ innovative technology and supporting climate tech firms across the full cycle from demonstration to investment attraction and market entry, nuriilbo.com reported.