Seoul Startup Support Program Guide
As Seoul Metropolitan Government moves toward becoming a global startup hub, it is investing public support to nurture startups. As of 2024, the central government and local governments have allocated a combined startup support budget of about 3.7 trillion won, with Seoul City spending the largest budget among local governments and leading efforts to revitalize the startup ecosystem.
However, it is not easy to find opportunities that suit you amid the vast support policies. This column systematically guides you through major startup support projects carried out by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and its affiliated institutions (such as the Seoul Business Agency (SBA) and Seoul Startup Hub) over the past two years, and provides a summary table to help startups successfully take on their challenges.
Key Support Trends and Information Channels
Recently, Seoul's startup support has shown the following trends.
- Deep Tech and Future Industry Focus: R&D and specialized support for future growth engines such as AI, bio, robotics, and fintech are being strengthened.
- Accelerating globalization: We are committed to helping domestic startups expand overseas, attract promising international startups, and build global networks.
- Activating Open Innovation: Programs promoting collaboration between startups and large and mid-sized companies (PoCs, investment promotion, etc.) have increased.
- Data-driven support and information integration: To collect distributed information and provide customized services, we operate platforms such as 'Startup Plus' to improve information accessibility.
Key Information Portal:
- Startup Plus (startup-plus.kr): It is a core online platform that integrates and manages applications for Seoul Metropolitan Government's startup support projects, investment matching, data provision, and more. It is especially frequently used as a portal for move-in and program applications at the Seoul Startup Hub.
- Seoul Business Agency (SBA) website (sba.seoul.kr): You can check various business announcements such as SBA-led R&D, exports, and Hi Seoul company certification. (R&D support is managed through a separate portal seoul.rnbd.kr)
- Seoul Startup Hub individual website: We offer specialized programs and move-in information for each hub, including Gongdeok, M+, Changdong, and Seongsu.
Detailed Information on Major Startup Support Programs
Seoul City provides comprehensive support necessary for startup growth, including funding, R&D, space, consulting, and market entry. Below are the main types of projects carried out during this period, along with examples and a summary table. (When applying, be sure to check the latest announcements)
1. Funding and Financial Connections
To secure essential funds for startup growth, Seoul City is preparing various forms of financial support including direct commercialization funding, R&D funding, private investment linkage, fund contributions, and guarantee linkage. Examples of major business activities are shown in the table below.
Table 1: Summary of Major Funded Projects
2. Research and Development (R&D) and Technology Commercialization
Seoul City places a significant emphasis on R&D support to secure future growth engines, operating various support measures centered around the SBA R&D Support Center, ranging from linking basic research to technology commercialization and demonstration testing. Support for emerging growth sectors such as bio and AI stands out in particular.
Table 2: Summary of Key R&D and Technology Commercialization Support Projects
3. Support for startup spaces and facilities
Seoul operates an extensive physical infrastructure network equipped with office spaces, coworking spaces, laboratories, and more to ensure stable growth for startups. Each hub is specialized for a specific industry or function, so it's important to choose the one that fits your business. The status of major hubs and centers is shown in the table below. (Note: Re-occupancy between major hubs may be restricted if you have a previous occupancy history.)
Table 3: Status of Support for Major Startup Spaces
4. Consulting, mentoring, and education
Beyond simple funding or space support, various 'soft' support is also provided, including expert consulting, mentoring networks, and educational programs to strengthen startups' real capabilities. Each startup hub provides integrated mentoring, networking, and investment attraction support to resident companies. SBA's 'Youth Employment Academy SeSAC' focuses on nurturing digital talent, the 'Nextlocal' program closely supports local young entrepreneurs, and the 'Content Academy' focuses on training content experts. At the 'Seoul Business Support Center,' you can receive ongoing management consultations.
5. Market Entry and Global Expansion
To ensure the sustainable growth of startups, support for domestic and international market entry is also actively provided. SBA provides traditional export support such as export voucher linkage, participation in overseas exhibitions, and buyer information, while the Seoul Startup Hub strengthens partnership-based support including connections with local accelerators and participation in global events. In particular, the 'Open Innovation' program, which promotes cooperation between startups and large and mid-sized companies, is actively operating and provides opportunities for PoCs and investment promotion.
Table 4: Summary of Key Market Entry and Global Expansion Support Projects
6. Industry-specific support
In addition to comprehensive startup support, Seoul operates customized R&D, spaces, and programs to foster specific industries such as AI, bio, fintech, content, manufacturing (especially urban manufacturing), social ventures/ESG, design, and robotics.
Main Certification System: HiSeoul Corporate Certification
The 'Hi Seoul Business Certification,' certified by Seoul City and operated by SBA, is a system that discovers small and medium-sized enterprises located in Seoul with outstanding growth potential and technological capabilities. Certification not only enhances corporate credibility, but also provides practical benefits such as networking and preferential access to SBA programs, making it an important milestone for companies aiming for growth.
Conclusion and Recommendations
Seoul has built and operated a broad and deep support ecosystem for startups. In particular, efforts to strengthen support for deep tech, global expansion, open innovation, and improve information accessibility stand out.
Building on Seoul's extensive startup support programs, we support your innovative ideas blossoming into successful businesses. Pine IP Firm, a reliable partner for technology-driven startups, will protect your technical expertise.
