South Korea’s flagship startup program, the K-Startup Grand Challenge (KSGC), is now accepting applications for its landmark 10th edition—offering up to ₩950 million (US$633,000) in equity-free funding, business acceleration, and access to Korea’s tech giants.

For international students and global founders already residing in Korea, this is a rare, high-impact gateway to turn classroom ideas into venture-backed businesses.

Hosted by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) and organized by the Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development (KISED), KSGC 2025 continues to position Korea as a Global Inbound Program designed to help international startups expand into Korea and scale across Asia.

Eligibility & Why It Matters for Students

For the first time, international students currently residing in Korea are explicitly eligible to apply. If you’ve ever dreamed of transforming your university project or thesis into a global venture, this is your chance.

Eligible startups must:

• Be founded and led by non-Korean nationals.
• Be less than 7 years old (or 10 years for deep-tech startups).
• Fall within high-impact sectors such as AI, fintech, biotech, mobility, and sustainability.

What You Get

• Up to ₩950M (US$633K) in grants and stipends
• No equity taken
• Visa sponsorship and company registration support
• Free office space
• Investor IR sessions with Korea’s top VCs
• Partnerships with Korea’s largest corporations
• Stage time at COMEUP and APEC Ministerial Summit
• Up to ₩50M in follow-on scale-up grants

New in 2025: Founder-First Support: A Flexible, Phased Gateway to Korea

KSGC adopts a hybrid format in 2025 that allows participants to begin the program remotely while maintaining operations in their home countries. The program unfolds over three structured phases from July 2025 to April 2026:

• Phase 1 – Market Exploration (July–August, 3 Weeks, 2025 | Online | 80 teams): Focuses on mentoring, Korean market discovery, and localization strategies.
• Phase 2 – Market Entry (September–December, 3 Months, 2025 | Remote-enabled on-site | 40 teams): Includes hands-on acceleration in Korea, business development, incorporation, and investor engagement
• Phase 3 – Market Growth (January–April, 3 Months, 2026 | Remote-enabled on-site | 20 teams): Provides tailored support for long-term growth and presence in Korea, including follow-on commercialization grants for the top 8 teams.

From APEC Policymakers, Top Korean Giants to the COMEUP 2025 Stage

KSGC 2025 offers unparalleled exposure to Korea’s top institutions and global stakeholders. During Phase 2, a select group of teams will have a unique opportunity to pitch at the 2025 APEC Small and Medium Enterprises Ministerial Meeting, a high-level policy event bringing together SME ministers and innovation leaders from across the Asia-Pacific region.

Startups will  engage with over 20 Korean conglomerates, including Samsung, Hyundai, LG, and KT, for potential PoC projects and strategic partnerships. These industry links are facilitated by the Gyeonggi Center for Creative Economy & Innovation (GCCEI), a key organizer with deep ties to Korea’s national startup infrastructure.

Participants will also showcase their startups at the official KSGC Demo Day, held during COMEUP 2025—South Korea’s premier startup and tech conference, which will attract global investors, media, and ecosystem leaders. They will compete for a ₩380 million (US$253K) prize pool, with awards presented to the top 20 teams.

In addition, top startups will gain access to investment oopportunities with industry-leading VCs and the GCCEI, unlocked through exclusive KSGC private IR sessions designed to connect founders with Korea’s most active investors.

From Campus to KAIST to Global Stage

One standout success is Polymerize, a Singapore-based AI deep-tech startup and the winner of the 2024 KSGC. Today, they run a local R&D team in partnership with KAIST, are engaged in 10+ PoC projects with Korean firms, and have secured Series A bridge funding from SparkLabs Korea—a clear success story of international collaboration powered by KSGC.

Ready to Take the Leap? Apply by June 13, 2025

Whether you're an international student experimenting in a lab or a founder running lean from a co-working desk in Gangnam, KSGC 2025 offers the tools, backing, and partnerships to scale fast in Korea—and across Asia.

Applications are open until June 13, 2025 (15:00 KST).

Apply now at www.k-startupgc.org or contact [email protected].

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