K-Startup Grand Challenge 2026

About

A comprehensive accelerator program designed for non-Korean startups, offering significant equity-free funding, business setup assistance, and opportunities to engage with local investors and corporate partners in Korea. Participants will go through structured phases to develop their business models and can showcase their innovations at a major startup festival.

Benefits

• 💰Financial Support
  Total equity-free backing up to KRW950 million
• 🎓Prize Money
  Top 20 teams receive KRW380 million in equity-free prize money
• 🎁Scale-Up Grants
  Top 8 teams receive KRW250 million in scale-up grants
• 🌐Investor Access
  Access to local investors and funding opportunities
• 🏢Business Setup Assistance
  Business setup assistance including free workspace and incorporation support
• 🔗Networking Opportunities
  Continuous business matchmaking and introductions to corporates and strategic partners
• 🎤Pitch Opportunity
  Opportunity to pitch at COMEUP 2026, Korea’s largest startup festival.

Eligibility Criteria

• Open to non-Korean-founded startups under seven years old (ten for deep-tech)
• Startups must be in sectors including AI, biotech, fintech, smart manufacturing, mobility, and energy
• Must demonstrate innovative technology or business model
• Majority foreign founder or foreign-led management
• Ability to run pilots or operations in Korea.

Participation Commitments

• Program runs from July 2026 to April 2027
• Participation in three phases: Discover, Accelerate, and Scale
• Must establish a legal entity and local presence in Korea
• Participation in Demo Day at COMEUP 2026
• Engagement in structured Proof-of-Concept (PoC) projects with Korean conglomerates.

Target Sector

AI, biotech, fintech, smart manufacturing, mobility, energy

Target Location

Global