Korea's Accelerator Program for Founders_K-Startup Grand Challenge 2025

Your challenge to venture into Korea

📍 ₩950M (US$633K) in Government Support
🗓️ Application Deadline: June 13, 2025 (Friday) 15:00 KST

🌏What is KSGC?

The K-Startup Grand Challenge (KSGC) is a government-backed accelerator program that helps non-Korean startups expand into the Korean and Asian markets through business support, funding, and networking opportunities.

💡Phase-by-Phase Support

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.

🤝 PoC and Partnerships with Korean Industry Giants

The program offers direct access to over 20 of Korea's leading conglomerates—including Samsung, Hyundai, LG, and KT—enabling high-impact PoC projects and strategic partnerships.

These opportunities are supported by the Gyeonggi Center for Creative Economy & Innovation (GCCEI), the organizing partner and a member of Korea's 19-center national CCEI network. Each center is aligned with a major corporate partner, providing localized support and open innovation channels to help startups engage with industry leaders more effectively.

🏆 Global Exposure Opportunities

KSGC 2025 offers unparalleled exposure to Korea's top institutions and global stakeholders:

APEC Small and Medium Enterprises Ministerial Meeting: During Phase 2, a select group of teams will have a unique opportunity to pitch at this high-level policy event bringing together SME ministers and innovation leaders from across the Asia-Pacific region.

COMEUP 2025: Participants will showcase their startups at the official KSGC Demo Day, which will take place during COMEUP 2025—South Korea's premier startup and tech conference, which attracts global investors, media, and ecosystem leaders.

📊 KSGC Alumni Success Story

Polymerize, a Singapore-based AI deep-tech startup and winner of the 2024 KSGC, has established a local R&D team in partnership with KAIST—Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, South Korea's top science and engineering university. The company is currently running PoC projects with more than 10 major Korean materials companies, has secured Series A bridge funding from SparkLabs Korea, and signed a commercialization deal with a leading Korean chemical manufacturer—demonstrating tangible impact and a strong long-term commitment to the Korean market.

✨ Practical Benefits for Startups

Equity-Free Financial Support

• Equity-free prize money for top teams
• Travel and living stipends for selected participants
• Commercialization grants for best-performing startups
• Up to ₩950 million (US$633K) in total support throughout the program

Visa and Incorporation Support

• Visa sponsorship and application assistance
• Full support for business incorporation
• Free office space
• Localized business development support

Business Expansion Opportunities

• Direct connections to over 20 major Korean conglomerates including Samsung, Hyundai, LG, and KT
• Dedicated support for B2B matchmaking and consulting
• PoC project opportunities with leading Korean companies
• Investment opportunities with top VCs and GCCEI
• Follow-on scale-up grants of up to ₩50 million for top teams

👥Eligibility

Pre-startups & startups under 7 years old (10 for deep-tech)

International students in Korea are also welcome

📝 How to Apply

Application Deadline: June 13, 2025 (Friday) 15:00 KST

👉 Apply Now at www.k-startupgc.org

📧 Contact: apply@ksgc.global