2024 Comprehensive Review of Startup Support Projects by Central Ministries in Korea

In 2024, central government agencies in South Korea aim to foster innovative entrepreneurship and drive economic growth through various support measures to revitalize startups. From aspiring entrepreneurs preparing to start a business to those in the early stages of their business, tailored support programs are available for various types of companies. In particular, through multifaceted startup support policies such as technology-based startup support, funding, research and development assistance, and assistance for global market entry, the entire startup ecosystem will be further strengthened. In this column, we aim to provide a comprehensive review of the major startup support projects provided by the central government for 2024.

1. Support for Commercialization

• Public-Private Joint Entrepreneur Discovery and Development Project: Supports startup teams with commercialization and overseas marketing to promising technology startup teams discovered by private investors such as startup planners and early-stage specialist VCs. Operation of the TIPS program.
  • Support details: prototype production, overseas expansion and marketing, follow-up commercialization funds, etc.
  • Eligible applicants: Companies selected for TIPS R&D, startups within the last 3 years with investment attraction history, etc.
  • Inquiries: Technology Startup Division, Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Public-Private Partnership Startup Office at the Korea Startup Promotion Agency
• Pre-startup package: Support for commercialization funds, startup programs, mentoring, and other support for prospective entrepreneurs with innovative technology startup ideas.
  • Support details: Up to 100 million KRW in commercialization funding (average 50 million KRW), BM advancement, MVP production support, startup education, networking, etc.
  • Eligibility: Prospective entrepreneurs
  • Contact: Korea Startup Promotion Agency Preliminary Early Startup Office, Ministry of SMEs and Startups Technology Startup Division
• Early-Stage Startup Package: Customized programs and commercialization funding support for companies within 3 years of establishment, including market entry, initial investment attraction, and demonstration verification.
  • Support details: Up to 100 million KRW in commercialization funding (average 70 million KRW), specialized programs for each host institution
  • Eligible Applicants: Early-stage startups within 3 years of business history
  • Contact: Korea Startup Promotion Agency Preliminary Early Startup Office, Ministry of SMEs and Startups Technology Startup Division
• Startup Leap Package: Support for commercialization funds, leap startup programs, and large corporate collaboration programs to advance business models, products, and services for 3rd~7th year startups.
  • Support details: Up to 300 million KRW in commercialization funding (average 130 million KRW), follow-up investment linkage, global market expansion programs, and major corporate collaboration programs (education, consulting, joint commercialization)
  • Eligibility: Startups in the 3rd year ~ 7th year
  • Inquiries: Technology Startup Division, Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Startup Promotion Agency Startup Leap Office
• Super-gap Startup 1000+ Project: Up to 600 million KRW in commercialization funding for companies within 10 years in the top 10 new industry sectors within 10 years, along with linkage support for technology development, policy funds, and technology guarantees.
  • Eligible applicants: 10 new industry sectors (system semiconductors, bio-health, future mobility, eco-friendly energy, robotics, big data· AI, cybersecurity & networks, aerospace & marine, next-generation nuclear power, quantum technology) companies within 10 years
  • Contact: Future Industry Strategy Team, Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Innovation Startup Office, Korea Startup Promotion Agency
• Baby Unicorn Development Project: Foster companies within 7 years with proven innovative business models and growth potential to become prospective unicorn companies with global competitiveness (corporate valuation over 100 billion KRW).
  • Support details: Market development funds, support for entering new markets, linkage support
  • Eligible applicants: Companies with investment performance between 2 billion KRW and less than 10 billion KRW, and within 7 years
  • Inquiries: Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Venture Policy Division; Korea Technology Finance Corporation Venture Innovation Finance Department
• Rechallenge Success Package: Provides commercialization funds, startup education, mentoring, and support linking with SME re-startup funds for prospective re-entrepreneurs and companies within the last three years.
  • Support details: Average commercialization funding of 46 million KRW (minimum 40 million KRW ~ maximum 100 million KRW), restart-up training, mentoring, and support linked to KOSME re-startup funds
  • Eligibility: Prospective or re-entrepreneurs (companies) within the past 3 years
  • Inquiries: Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Startup Policy Division, Korea Startup Promotion Agency, Rechallenge Startup Office
• Startup-Centered University: Designates universities with excellent startup support capabilities as startup-focused universities, supports the activation of university-based startups, and supports their role as regional startup hubs.
  • Support details: commercialization funds, private sector partnerships, investment attraction, global expansion programs, etc.
  • Eligible Applicants: Prospective entrepreneurs and startup companies
  • Inquiries: Youth Policy Division, Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Startup Promotion Agency Youth Startup Office
• First-Time Youth Startup Support Program: Support for startup and technology education, professional mentoring, and prototype development costs for young people under 29 who are taking on a technology startup for the first time.
  • Eligibility: Prospective entrepreneurs under 29 years old who wish to start a technology-based business for the first time in their lives (must not have business registration history as of the announcement date)
  • Inquiries: Youth Policy Division, Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Startup Promotion Agency Youth Startup Office
• Public Technology Startup Commercialization Support Project: Provides commercialization funding, business model advancement, education, and mentoring support for young prospective entrepreneurs (teams) under 39 who wish to start businesses using public technology.
  • Eligible Applicants: Prospective entrepreneurs (teams) under 39 years old who wish to start a business using technology developed by public research institutions
  • Inquiries: Youth Policy Division, Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Startup Promotion Agency Youth Startup Office
• Startup Success Package (Youth Startup Academy): Comprehensive support for companies under 39 years old and within 3 years of entrepreneurship with startup space, education and coaching, technical support, project funding support, and policy project linkage.
  • Eligible applicants: Companies under 39 years old and within 3 years of establishment
  • Inquiries: Youth Policy Division, Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Startup Support Division, SMEs and Startup Business Corporation
• Local Creator Development Project: Supports local creators who start businesses utilizing local resources and characteristics, including business model concretization, branding, marketing, and networking.
  • Eligible Applicants: Local Creators
  • Inquiries: Small Business Growth Promotion Division, Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Startup Support Office, Small Enterprise and Market Service
• K-Global Accelerator Development Project: Provides commercialization and technical support, mentoring, networking, facility support, and promotional support to ICT-specialized accelerators.
  • Eligible Applicants: Private startup planners registered with the Ministry of SMEs and Startups under Article 24 of the Act on the Promotion of Venture Investment (the accelerator representative must be a Korean national)
  • Inquiries: Ministry of Science and ICT, Information and Communication Industry Infrastructure Division, National IT Industry Promotion Agency, Global Startup Growth Team
• Nurturing the Future Unicorn of Global ICT: Comprehensive support for ICT companies with high global growth potential, including guarantee linkage, global expansion support, private investment connections, and connections with startup and venture support related organizations.
  • Eligible Applicants: SMEs with global capabilities in ICT or ICT-based convergence and convergence sectors
  • Inquiries: Ministry of Science and ICT, Information and Communication Industry Infrastructure Division, National IT Industry Promotion Agency, Global Startup Growth Team
• Data Utilization Commercialization Support Project (DATA-Stars): Commercialization support for data-based startups, data-specialized consulting, business mentoring, and data infrastructure.
  • Support details: Commercialization support fund of approximately 50 million KRW, data business specialized support program
  • Eligible Applicants: Data-based startups within 7 years of establishment (as of the announcement date)
  • Inquiries: Utilization and Expansion Team of Korea Data Industry Promotion Agency, Data Promotion Division, Ministry of Science and ICT
• Eco-Startup Support Program: Provides startup funding support and nurturing programs (education, mentoring, consulting, networking, etc.) to prospective entrepreneurs in the green industry sector and startups within the past 7 years.
  • Eligible Applicants: Prospective entrepreneurs in the green industry sector, companies established within the past 7 years
  • Inquiries: Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute Green Convergence Cluster Operations Group, Ministry of Environment Green Industry Innovation Division
• Korea Water Industry Innovation Startup Exhibition: Provides commercialization support, mentoring and prototype production, investment attraction, and overseas expansion support to prospective entrepreneurs in the water industry and startups within 7 years.
  • Eligibility: Idea category - citizens and prospective entrepreneurs, Commercialization sector - water-related startups within the past 7 years
  • Inquiries: Korea Water Resources Corporation, Startup and Innovation Department; Ministry of Environment, Water Industry Cooperation Division
• Support for Muldream's Commercialization: Support for commercialization funds (expert consulting, prototype production) for companies residing in the National Water Industry Cluster Startup Incubation Center.
  • Eligible Applicants: Companies residing in the National Water Industry Cluster Startup Incubation Center
  • Inquiries: Ministry of Environment, Water Industry Cooperation Division, National Water Industry Cluster, Water Industry Promotion Office
• Supporting the growth of art companies: Support for commercialization funds, education, consulting, mentoring, and investment attraction for art startups with less than 7 years of experience.
  • Eligibility: Art startups with less than 7 years of experience
  • Inquiries: Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Arts Policy Division; (Foundation) Arts Management Support Center Business Development Team
• Support for Sports Industry Startups: Provides corporate support funds, startup education and consulting, prototype production, and networking between companies to prospective entrepreneurs in the sports industry and startups within 7 years.
  • Eligible applicants: Prospective entrepreneurs in the sports industry and startups within the past 7 years
  • Inquiries: Startup and Job Support Team, Korea Sports Promotion Foundation, Sports Industry Division, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
• Support for Startups in the Sports Industry (Accelerating): For startups in the sports industry with less than 7 years of experience (excluding prospective entrepreneurs), support includes corporate subsidies, business advancement consulting, investment attraction capacity enhancement training, initial and follow-up investment support, and networking between companies and investors.
  • Eligible Applicants: Startups in the sports industry with less than 7 years of history (excluding prospective entrepreneurs)
  • Inquiries: Korea Sports Promotion Foundation Corporate Finance Support Team, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Sports Industry Division
• Support for Commercializing Content Ideas: Support for commercialization and startup funds, customized mentoring, education, consulting, etc., for prospective entrepreneurs (teams) in the content field and startup companies within the past year.
  • Eligible applicants: Prospective entrepreneurs (teams) in the content field, companies established within the past year
  • Inquiries: Korea Creative Content Agency Corporate Development Team, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Cultural Industry Policy Division
• Support for fostering early-stage content startups: Provides commercialization funding and acceleration programs (mentoring, consulting, promotion, etc.) to startups within 3 years in the content field. Program operation expenses support for content sector accelerators.
  • Eligible Applicants: Startups in the content sector within the past 3 years, private content accelerators
  • Inquiries: Korea Creative Content Agency Corporate Development Team, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Cultural Industry Policy Division
• Content Startup Leap Program: Support for commercialization funds, mentoring, consulting, education, and private investment connections for startups in the content sector in the 4th~7th year sector.
  • Eligible Applicants: Startups in the content field, 4~7 years old
  • Inquiries: Korea Creative Content Agency Corporate Development Team, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Cultural Industry Policy Division
• Support for Co-Growth in Collaboration with Leading Companies (Content Open Innovation): Public-private partnership commercialization funds, startup capacity-building programs, performance presentations, etc. for startups within 7 years.
  • Eligibility: Startups (corporations) within 7 years
  • Inquiries: Korea Creative Content Agency Corporate Development Team, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Cultural Industry Policy Division
• Traditional Culture Youth Startup Support Project: Support for commercialization funds, education, and mentoring to startups within 3 years in the traditional cultural industry sector and leapfrog companies in the 4~7th year. Preliminary startup idea contest held.
  • Eligible applicants: Startups within 3 years in the traditional cultural industry sector, companies in the 4~7th year of leap forwards, and prospective entrepreneurs
  • Inquiries: Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Traditional Culture Division; Korea Craft & Design Promotion Agency, Traditional Culture Industry Team
• Tourism Venture Business Contest: Support for commercialization funds, education and consulting, collaboration and networking, and development of promotional channels for prospective entrepreneurs, early-stage companies (3 years), and growth companies (37 years) in the tourism sector.
  • Eligible applicants: Prospective entrepreneurs in the tourism sector, early-stage companies (3 years), growth companies (37 years)
  • Inquiries: Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Tourism Industry Policy Division; Korea Tourism Organization Tourism Enterprise Startup Team
• Tourism Acceleration Program: Support for commercialization funds, mentoring, consulting, education, and private investment connections for early-stage companies in the tourism sector within 3 years.
  • Eligible applicants: Early-stage companies in the tourism sector within the past 3 years
  • Inquiries: Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Tourism Industry Policy Division; Korea Tourism Organization Tourism Enterprise Development Team
• New Business Startup Academy: Support for prospective entrepreneurs with startup education, store management experience, and commercialization funds.
  • Eligibility: Prospective entrepreneurs
  • Inquiries: Small Business Growth Promotion Division, Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Startup Support Office, Small Enterprise and Market Service
• Support for Fostering Agri-Food Ventures: Support for commercialization funds, investment attraction, and market development programs for prospective entrepreneurs and startups in the agricultural and food sector.
  • Eligible Applicants: Prospective entrepreneurs and startups in the agricultural and food sector
  • Inquiries: Korea Agricultural Technology Promotion Agency Venture Business Team, Startup Incubation Team, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Smart Agriculture Policy Division
• Support for fostering accelerators for agri-food technology startups: Operation of acceleration programs, investment attraction, and support such as demo days for prospective entrepreneurs and startups in the agri-food sector.
  • Eligible Applicants: Prospective entrepreneurs and startups in the agricultural and food sector
  • Inquiries: Korea Agricultural Technology Promotion Agency Venture Business Team, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Smart Agriculture Policy Division
• Agri-Food Technology Evaluation Support: Support fees for technology value evaluation, technical capability evaluation, excellent technology evaluation, and required funding evaluation (50~90%) for prospective entrepreneurs and startups in the agricultural and food sectors.
  • Eligible Applicants: Prospective entrepreneurs and startups in the agricultural and food sector
  • Inquiries: Technology Evaluation Team of Korea Agricultural Technology Promotion Agency, Smart Agriculture Policy Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
• Support for Agricultural and Food Market Channels: Provides sales channel support such as online store operations and promotional events to startups in the agricultural and food sector within 7 years.
  • Eligible Applicants: Startups in the agri-food sector within 7 years
  • Contact: Korea Agricultural Technology Promotion Agency Startup Promotion Team, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Smart Agriculture Policy Division
• Promising Startup Investment Attraction Support Project: Support for attracting domestic and international investment to startups in the health industry sector within the last 10 years.
  • Eligible Applicants: Startups in the health industry sector within the past 10 years
  • Inquiries: Health Industry Promotion Division, Korea Health Industry Development Institute, Health Industry Policy Division, Ministry of Health and Welfare

2. Support for Technology Development (R&D)

• Startup Growth Technology Development: Technology development funding support for startups with less than 7 years of experience and sales under 2 billion KRW.
  • Support details: Didimdol (1 year, 120 million KRW), TIPS (Standard type: 2 years, 500 million KRW; Specialized type: 3 years: 1.5 billion KRW)
  • Eligible Applicants: Startups with 7 years or less of experience and sales under 2 billion KRW
  • Inquiries: Technology Development Division, Ministry of SMEs and Startups; Startup Business Office, SME Technology Information Promotion Agency
• Support for exploring public technology-based market-linked startups: Provides entrepreneurship exploration education and incubation support to a team composed of undergraduate (graduate) students, postdoctoral researchers, and affiliated researchers who wish to start a business using public research achievements.
  • Eligible Applicants: Laboratory startup exploration teams composed of undergraduate (graduate) students, postdoctoral researchers, and funded (institute) researchers who wish to start a business utilizing public research outcomes
  • Inquiries: Technology Startup Team, Korea Institute for Commercialization Promotion, Ministry of Science and ICT Research Achievement Placement Policy Division
• Deep Science Startup Activation Support: Provides step-by-step startup support for university and affiliated (institute) researchers, accelerators, and prospective entrepreneurs in preparation and planning, technology startups, and market-oriented R&D.
  • Support Details: R&D, patent creation, acceleration, early-stage investment funds, etc.
  • Eligible Applicants: University and affiliated (institute) researchers, accelerators, and prospective entrepreneurs
  • Inquiries: Technology Startup Team, Korea Institute for Commercialization Promotion, Ministry of Science and ICT Research Achievement Placement Policy Division

3. Facility, Space, and Childcare Support

• Supporting Manufacturer Activation: Support for operating maker spaces to promote manufacturing startups and expand the maker base.
  • Support details: Assistance with professional maker activities and manufacturing startup promotion programs
  • Eligible Applicants: Private, public institutions, and other institutions and companies (excluding maker spaces selected or supported by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups)
  • Inquiries: Startup Education Office, Korea Startup Promotion Agency, Startup Ecosystem Division, Ministry of SMEs and Startups
• Support Project for Middle-aged Technology Startup Centers: One-stop support for prospective entrepreneurs aged 40 and above, including startup education, space support, and childcare services.
  • Eligibility: Prospective entrepreneurs aged 40 and above
  • Inquiries: Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Startup Ecosystem Division, Startup Promotion Agency Regional Startup Office
• Startup Zone: Providing startups in future new industries such as Data, Network, and AI with space, incubation programs, and infrastructure facilities.
  • Eligible Applicants: Prospective entrepreneurs, companies established within 7 years of establishment
  • Inquiries: Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Startup Ecosystem Division, Startup Promotion Agency Regional Startup Office, Gyeonggi Center for Creative Economy & Innovation
• Creative Economy Innovation Center: Through 17 Creative Economy Innovation Centers nationwide, which serve as regional startup hubs, support is provided for startup networking, investment briefings, and open innovation activities with large and medium-sized companies.
  • Eligible Applicants: Prospective entrepreneurs, companies established within 7 years of establishment
  • Inquiries: Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Startup Ecosystem Division, Startup Promotion Agency Regional Startup Office
• Startup Incubation Center Support Project: Support for business space, education, mentoring, networking, etc. for companies residing in the startup incubation center.
  • Eligible Applicants: Companies residing in startup incubation centers
  • Contact: Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Startup Ecosystem Division, Korea Startup Incubation Association
• Startup Park: Support for the creation of innovative startup clusters for startup growth (design and construction costs).
  • Eligible Recipients: Metropolitan local governments (consortium with private sector is required)
  • Inquiries: Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Startup Ecosystem Division, Startup Promotion Agency Regional Startup Office
• Innovation Startup Members: Provides office space and supports business network connections for prospective entrepreneurs in the biohealth field and startups within the past three years.
  • Eligible Applicants: Prospective entrepreneurs, startups within the last 3 years
  • Inquiries: Health Industry Promotion Division, Korea Health Industry Development Institute, Health Industry Policy Division, Ministry of Health and Welfare

4. Mentoring, consulting, and educational support

• Youth Bizcool: Provides entrepreneurial spirit cultivation and mock startup education to elementary, middle, and high school students.
  • Eligible recipients: Elementary, middle, and high schools, gifted schools, out-of-school youth support centers, etc.
  • Inquiries: Youth Policy Division, Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Startup Education Office, Korea Startup Promotion Agency
• Leading University of Innovation in Entrepreneurship Education (SCOUT): Support for startup education and the expansion of startup-friendly academic programs for undergraduate (graduate) students and early-stage university startups.
  • Eligibility: University (graduate) students and early-stage university startups
  • Inquiries: National Research Foundation of Korea Industry-Academia Cooperation Support Team, Ministry of Education Industry-Academia Cooperation Employment and Startup Support Division
• Promising Student Startup Team 300: Support for entrepreneurship education, mentoring, and investment attraction education for elementary, middle, high school, out-of-school youth, and university (graduate) students who wish to start a business.
  • Eligible Applicants: Elementary, middle, high school, out-of-school youth, and university (graduate) students who wish to start a business
  • Contact: Korea Youth Entrepreneurship Foundation, National Research Foundation of Korea Industry-Academia Cooperation Support Team, Ministry of Education Industry-Academia Cooperation Employment and Startup Support Division
• K-Global Startup Mentoring (ICT Innovation Company Mentoring): Dedicated mentoring, legal and patent mentoring, practical startup education, investment attraction capacity building, global expansion support, promotional support, networking, and other support for prospective entrepreneurs (teams) and startups in ICT and the Fourth Industrial Revolution sectors.
  • Eligible Applicants: Prospective entrepreneurs (teams) and startup representatives in ICT and the Fourth Industrial Revolution sectors
  • Inquiries: Ministry of Science and ICT, Information and Communication Industry Infrastructure Division, Korea Youth Entrepreneurship Foundation K-ICT Startup Mentoring Center
• Intellectual Property-Based Next-Generation Gifted Enterprise Development Project: Provides two years of intensive education in intellectual property, entrepreneurship, humanities, and more to inventor prodigies (middle school students).
  • Eligible Applicants: 13th grade middle school students or youth aged 1315
  • Inquiries: Industrial Property Human Resources Division, Korean Intellectual Property Office, Creative Invention Education Research Office, Korea Invention Promotion Association
• IP Stepping Stone Program: Patent consulting, patent rights acquisition, and business idea development support for prospective entrepreneurs.
  • Eligibility: Prospective entrepreneurs
  • Inquiries: Regional Industrial Property Division, Korean Intellectual Property Office, Korea Invention Promotion Association Regional Intellectual Property Office
• IP Narae Program: Provides IP technology and management consulting to small and medium-sized enterprises within 7 years of establishment.
  • Eligible Applicants: Small and medium-sized enterprises established within 7 years of establishment or within 5 years of conversion startups
  • Inquiries: Regional Industrial Property Division, Korean Intellectual Property Office, Korea Invention Promotion Association Regional Intellectual Property Office
• Marine and Fisheries Incubating Support Project: Support for startup education and incubation programs, as well as commercialization funds, for prospective entrepreneurs and startups within the past 7 years.
  • Eligible Applicants: Prospective entrepreneurs and startups within 7 years
  • Inquiries: Startup Investment Team of the Korea Institute of Marine Science and Technology Promotion, Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Science and Technology Policy Division
• Marine and Fisheries Startup Contest: Supports commercialization and ideas for startups within 7 years, the entire nation, middle and high school students, and university (graduate) students.
  • Eligible applicants: Startups within 7 years, all citizens, middle and high school students, and university (graduate) students
  • Inquiries: Startup Investment Team, Korea Institute of Marine Science and Technology Promotion, Fisheries Policy Division, Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries
• Spatial Information Startup Consulting: Providing consulting support for business model design/improvement, investment strategy, tax, marketing, IR, etc. for companies residing at LX Space Dream Center.
  • Eligible Applicants: Companies residing in LX Space Dream Center
  • Inquiries: Spatial Information Industry Promotion Agency, Industry Promotion Division, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Spatial Information Promotion Division
• Legal Advisory Support for Spatial Information Startups: Legal advisory support for spatial information utilization convergence startups (within 7 years) covering intellectual property rights, investment and employment contracts, regulatory sandboxes, etc.
  • Eligible Applicants: Startups utilizing spatial information for convergence and integration (within 7 years)
  • Inquiries: Spatial Information Industry Promotion Agency, Industry Promotion Division, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Spatial Information Promotion Division
• Spatial Information Startup Marketability TEST: Providing opportunities to verify the marketability of new technologies, ideas, products, and services to startups engaged in spatial information utilization convergence (within 7 years).
  • Eligible Applicants: Startups utilizing spatial information for convergence and integration (within 7 years)
  • Inquiries: Spatial Information Industry Promotion Agency, Industry Promotion Division, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Spatial Information Promotion Division
• Activation of Agricultural and Food Crowdfunding: Provides crowdfunding platform setup, on-site coaching, consulting fee support, and fee support for agri-food companies and prospective entrepreneurs.
  • Eligible Applicants: Companies or prospective entrepreneurs engaged in businesses in agriculture, rural areas, food, and related fields
  • Inquiries: Investment Support Division, Agricultural Policy Insurance and Finance Agency; Smart Agriculture Policy Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
• Agricultural Food Venture Startup Internship Program: Provides on-site internship (2~3 months) for venture and startup companies in the agri-food sector for prospective young entrepreneurs aged 19 to 39, internship support, startup education, mentoring, and domestic and international training. Ventures and startups in the agri-food sector (with sales of 100 million KRW or more, at least 3 regular employees) serve as mentors.
  • Eligible Applicants: Young prospective entrepreneurs in the agri-food sector (mentees), venture and startup companies in the agri-food sector (mentors)
  • Inquiries: Korea Agricultural Technology Promotion Agency Venture Business Team, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Smart Agriculture Policy Division
• Agricultural Food Venture Startup Center: Provides regional hub-based startup consultation, connection support, and educational programs for prospective entrepreneurs in the agricultural and food sectors and startups within the past 7 years.
  • Eligible Applicants: Prospective entrepreneurs in the agricultural and food sectors and startups within the past 7 years
  • Inquiries: Seoul Southern Agri-Food Venture Startup Center, Seoul Northern Agri-Food Venture Startup Center, Busan Agri-Food Venture Startup Center, Sejong Agri-Food Venture Startup Center, Gyeonggi Agri-Food Venture Startup Center, Gangwon Agri-Food Venture Startup Center, Jeonnam Agri-Food Venture Startup Center, Gyeongbuk Agri-Food Venture Startup Center, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Smart Agriculture Policy Division
• Patent Strategy Consulting Support Project: Consulting support for startups in the healthcare sector within 10 years covering patent paper analysis, market trends, bypass strategies, R&D roadmaps, and overseas application strategies.
  • Eligibility: Basic skills corresponding to technology maturity level 1~2
  • Inquiries: Health Industry Promotion Division, Korea Health Industry Development Institute, Health Industry Policy Division, Ministry of Health and Welfare
• Licensing Consulting Support Project: Consulting support for startups in the health industry within 10 years on permitting and approval processes, technical documentation, GMP certification, overseas certification, clinical planning, and more.
  • Eligible Applicants: Technology maturity levels 3~7 corresponding to technology
  • Inquiries: Health Industry Promotion Division, Korea Health Industry Development Institute, Health Industry Policy Division, Ministry of Health and Welfare

5. Event and Network Support

• COMEUP 2024: Providing a platform for exchange and collaboration among stakeholders in the global startup ecosystem, including startups, VCs, and global companies.
  • Target Audience: Startups, VCs, global companies, media, startup support organizations, and other stakeholders in the global startup ecosystem
  • Inquiries: Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Startup Policy Division, Korea Startup Promotion Agency Global Startup Cooperation Office
• Public-Private Partnership Open Innovation Support Project: Under the Small and Medium Enterprise Startup Support Act, (preliminary) startups receive funding support for collaboration (PoC, MVP, etc.) with demand companies (large and medium-sized companies, public institutions, etc.).
  • Eligible Applicants: (Preliminary) startups under the Small and Medium Enterprise Startup Support Act
  • Inquiries: Technology Startup Division, Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Public-Private Partnership Startup Office at the Korea Startup Promotion Agency
• Challenge! K-Startup: Grants (Presidential Award, Prime Minister's Award, Ministerial Award), prize money, and follow-up linkage to government-supported projects for prospective entrepreneurs (teams) and startups within the past three years.
  • Eligibility: Prospective entrepreneurs (teams), representatives of startups within the past 3 years
  • Contact: Global Startup Cooperation Office, Korea Startup Promotion Agency, Technology Startup Division, Ministry of SMEs and Startups

·         W-Startup Awards: Prizes, awards, and support for investment attraction are provided to female prospective entrepreneurs and female startups within the past three years.

o Eligible Applicants: Female prospective entrepreneurs, women-founded companies within the past 3 years

o Inquiries: Startup Support Team, Women-Owned Business Support Center, Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Corporate Environment Policy Division

·         Nuclear Innovation and Startup Competition: Awards (ministerial award, Secretary-General Award), cash prizes, startup mentoring, and TIPS recommendation opportunities are provided to prospective startup teams and startups within the last three years.

o Eligible Applicants: Prospective startup teams and startups within the past 3 years

o Inquiries: Korea Nuclear Cooperation Foundation, Future Talent Strategy Division; Ministry of Science and ICT, Nuclear Research and Development Division

·         Environmental Startup Competition: Prize money for prospective entrepreneurs in the environmental field and startups within 7 years, extra points for joining the Green Convergence Cluster for startup ventures, exemption from document evaluation for eco-startup projects, and support for startup mentoring.

o Eligible Applicants: Prospective entrepreneurs in the environmental sector and startups within the past 7 years

o Inquiries: Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute Green Convergence Cluster Operation Group, Ministry of Environment Green Industry Innovation Division

·         Agri-Food Startup Contest: Awards (Presidential Award, Prime Minister's Award, etc.), prize money, and follow-up support connections provided to prospective entrepreneurs and startups in the agri-food sector within the past 7 years.

o Eligible Applicants: Prospective entrepreneurs and startups in the agri-food sector within the past 7 years

o Inquiries: Venture Business Team, Korea Agricultural Technology Promotion Institute, Smart Agriculture Policy Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

6. Loan and guarantee support

• Startup Infrastructure Support Fund: Within 7 years, SMEs will receive loans for facility funds such as business site purchases and introduction of machinery and equipment, as well as raw material purchase costs and labor costs.
  • Eligible Applicants: (Prospective) entrepreneurs, SMEs within 7 years (new industry sectors: companies within 10 years)
  • Inquiries: Policy Fund Information Call Center
• Re-startup capital: Facility and working capital loan support for prospective re-entrepreneurs and startup companies within 7 years.
  • Eligibility: Prospective re-entrepreneurs and re-startup companies within 7 years
  • Inquiries: Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Startup Policy Division, Small and Medium Business Corporation Re-Growth Division

7. Personnel Support

• Startup AI Technology Talent Training (Eardream School): Provides practical AI training (gaming, finance, distribution, bio) and employment/entrepreneurship-linked support for young people under 39.
  • Eligibility: Young people aged 39 or under (no restrictions on education or major)
  • Inquiries: Youth Policy Division, Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Startup Support Division, SMEs and Startup Business Corporation

8. Global Support

• Startup Success Package (Global Startup Academy): Global Scale-Up program, acceleration programs by entry country, up to 150 million KRW in commercialization funds, and startup space support for startups within 7 years.
  • Eligible recipients: Companies that have graduated from the Youth Startup Academy as outstanding graduates (within 7 years)
  • Inquiries: Youth Policy Division, Ministry of SMEs and Startups; Global Startup Team, Youth Startup Academy, SMEs and Startup Corporation
• Startup AI Technology Workforce Training (Overseas Workforce Job Matching): Provides training for practical personnel in the software field, job placement, and visa issuance support for startups operating locally in Korea and overseas.
  • Eligibility: Prospective graduates and graduates of Vietnamese SW universities
  • Inquiries: Youth Policy Division, Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Startup Support Division, SMEs and Startup Business Corporation
• Global Corporate Collaboration Program: Support for startups within 7 years in commercialization funds, education, consulting, promotion and marketing, market development, and investment linkage.
  • Eligible Applicants: Startups within 7 years (some programs within 10 years)
  • Inquiries: Technology Startup Division, Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Public-Private Partnership Startup Office at the Korea Startup Promotion Agency
• Support for Overseas Exhibitions for Startups: Support for booth rental, exhibition participation fees, pre-training, business matching, etc. for startups within 7 years.
  • Eligible Applicants: Startups within 7 years
  • Inquiries: Technology Startup Division, Ministry of SMEs and Startups; Global Startup Cooperation Office, Korea Startup Promotion Agency
• K-Startup Grand Challenge: For prospective foreign entrepreneurs and startups within 7 years, a 3.5-month settlement subsidy, office space, acceleration, internship, and other support are provided.
  • Eligible Applicants: Foreign prospective entrepreneurs and startups within the past 7 years
  • Inquiries: Technology Startup Division, Ministry of SMEs and Startups; Global Startup Cooperation Office, Korea Startup Promotion Agency
• Fostering Global Startups: Overseas market verification programs and testbed support with global conglomerates are provided to startups wishing to expand overseas within the past 7 years.
  • Eligible Applicants: Startups within 7 years wishing to expand overseas
  • Inquiries: Technology Startup Division, Ministry of SMEs and Startups; Global Startup Cooperation Office, Korea Startup Promotion Agency
• K-Startup Center Project: Provides local acceleration programs, residency space, and specialized mentoring to startups within 7 years aiming to expand into 7 countries including the United States, France, and India.
  • Eligible Applicants: Startups within the last 7 years (with a history of attracting domestic and international investment or sales/export performance in the regions where they are established)
  • Inquiries: Technology Startup Division, Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Global Startup Cooperation Office, Korea Startup Promotion Agency, Global Cooperation Office, Korea SMEs and Startups Corporation
• K-Scouter: Supporting the discovery and mentoring activities of overseas startups with strong intentions and potential to enter the Korean and Asian markets.
  • Eligible recipients: Public institutions, universities, private organizations (organizations), etc.
  • Inquiries: Technology Startup Division, Ministry of SMEs and Startups; Global Startup Cooperation Office, Korea Startup Promotion Agency
• Global Startup Center: Support for outstanding overseas talent through visa issuance, startup vouchers, and startup support programs.
  • Eligible Applicants: Foreign prospective entrepreneurs and startups within the past 7 years
  • Inquiries: Technology Startup Division, Ministry of SMEs and Startups; Global Startup Cooperation Office, Korea Startup Promotion Agency
• K-Global Overseas Expansion Support Project (Establishing a Foundation for Global Startup Activation): Provides specialized consulting (legal, patent, accounting, PMF, marketing, etc.) and supports discovery of global business opportunities for companies with ICT convergence technologies wishing to expand overseas.
  • Eligible applicants: Companies with ICT convergence technologies (Data, Network, AI, 5G, etc.) wishing to expand overseas
  • Inquiries: Ministry of Science and ICT, Information and Communication Industry Infrastructure Division, Global Digital Innovation Network Business Operations Team (Foundation)
• Support Project for Overseas Expansion of DNA Fusion Products and Services: For companies with future digital innovation technologies such as AI, we support companies wishing to pursue joint ventures (JV) by forming local partnerships, consulting on joint venture establishment and operation (legal, accounting, patent, etc.), and consulting on discovering potential local customers and partners.
  • Eligible Applicants: Companies possessing future digital innovation technologies such as AI (companies wishing to pursue or currently pursuing joint ventures)
  • Inquiries: Ministry of Science and ICT, Information and Communication Industry Infrastructure Division, Global Digital Innovation Network Business Operations Team (Foundation)
• Entrepreneurship Immigration Talent Development Program (OASIS): Provides 10 standardized training programs for foreigners wishing to start a technology business in Korea, including intellectual property literacy education, startup coaching and mentoring, startup space, and commercialization support (related to the Technology Startup (D-8-4) visa).
  • Eligible Applicants: Foreigners wishing to start a technology startup in Korea
  • Inquiries: Ministry of Justice Residence Management Division, Global Startup Immigration Center
• Support for overseas expansion linked to leading companies: Provides startups within 7 years with overseas commercialization funds, startup capability enhancement programs, performance presentations, and other support.
  • Eligibility: Startups (corporations) within 7 years
  • Inquiries: Korea Creative Content Agency Corporate Development Team, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Cultural Industry Policy Division
• Tourism Global Leading Company Development Program: Provides overseas market development, overseas expansion consulting, and investment attraction support to companies possessing innovative tourism technologies (such as 500 million KRW in sales or 10 or more employees).
  • Eligible Applicants: Companies possessing innovative technologies in the tourism sector
  • Inquiries: Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Tourism Industry Policy Division; Korea Tourism Organization Tourism Enterprise Development Team

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