Integrated Notice for 508 Startup Support Programs by Central and Local Governments
Expansion Across R&D, Commercialization, and Loans with a 5.2% Budget Increase
Increased Support for Youth and Super-Gap Sectors, Strengthened Management and San
The government and local authorities will implement startup support programs worth 3.46 trillion won next year. They plan to expand support for research and development (R&D), commercialization, as well as youth and super-gap sectors, while also strengthening standards for project fund execution and post-management.
On December 19, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced the '2026 Integrated Notice of Startup Support Programs by Central Government Ministries and Local Governments.'
This integrated notice includes a total of 508 startup support programs from 111 institutions. The total budget for 2026 is 3.4645 trillion won, an increase of 170.5 billion won (5.2%) compared to the previous year (3.294 trillion won). By type, loans account for the largest portion at 1.4245 trillion won (17 programs, 41.1%), followed by technology development at 864.8 billion won (25.0%) and commercialization at 815.1 billion won (23.5%).
Fifteen central government ministries will carry out 88 startup support programs worth 3.274 trillion won. The Ministry of SMEs and Startups accounts for 3.0734 trillion won, or 93.9% of the total, followed by the Ministry of Science and ICT (84.6 billion won), the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (40 billion won), and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (31.7 billion won). Notably, the Financial Services Commission and the Korea Forest Service are participating in the startup support program notice for the first time. Local governments (17 metropolitan and 79 basic local governments) will carry out a total of 420 programs with a budget of 190.5 billion won, including Seoul (39 billion won), Gyeongnam (19.7 billion won), and Gyeonggi (19.2 billion won).
First, the R&D project budget is set at 864.8 billion won, an increase of 235.6 billion won compared to the previous year. Through the 'Startup Growth Technology Development' project, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups plans to invest 786.4 billion won to provide up to 1.5 billion won in technology development funds for up to three years to approximately 1,668 startups that have been in business for less than seven years.
The commercialization budget has been set at 815.1 billion won, an increase of 48.5 billion won from the previous year. The Ministry of SMEs and Startups has allocated 177.8 billion won for preliminary, early, and leap package projects to support commercialization funds tailored to different growth stages, as well as startup programs such as artificial intelligence (AI) training. Through the Super-Gap Startup Project (145.6 billion won), the ministry will support innovative growth and overseas market entry for startups in new industries.
A total of 257.5 billion won will be invested in youth support programs, including the Ministry of SMEs and Startups' Youth Startup Academy (102.5 billion won), representing an increase from the previous year.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups plans to lay the foundation for innovative startup growth and foster a transparent startup ecosystem by revising the 'Startup Support Program Management Guidelines.' First, the ministry will expand the scope of eligible project expenses. The payment method for outsourcing fees will be changed from a lump-sum payment after project completion to a more flexible installment system, and maintenance costs for intellectual property rights filed before the project will also be included as eligible expenses. To strengthen the technology protection capabilities of startups, the guidelines will be revised to allow for the payment of 'technology infringement litigation insurance premiums.'
The restriction period for participation due to false or fraudulent acts after being selected for a startup support program will also be extended from the current three years to five years. In addition, the management system for the operation and management of equipment built with government funds will be strengthened even after the completion of government-supported projects.
Details of the integrated startup support program notice can be found on the 'K-Startup Portal' and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups website. Individual notices for each program will be released separately on the websites of the relevant ministries and local governments.
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