757 Startup Companies to Be Supported Through Startup-Centered Universities This Year

Recruitment of Companies for the 2026 Startup-Centered University Program

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced on March 2 that it is recruiting participating companies for the "2026 Startup-Centered University Support Program."

The Startup-Centered University Support Program is designed to support university-led and region-based startups by leveraging the technology, infrastructure, and industry-academic cooperation networks of "startup-centered universities" with outstanding startup support capabilities. This year, a total of 11 startup-centered universities across six regions will support 757 aspiring entrepreneurs and startup companies based in local communities and universities.

First, the "region-based type" is a category that supports startups located within the respective regions. Selected companies will receive commercialization funding (up to 100 million won) and access to startup support programs provided by each startup-centered university. This year, more than 60% of selected companies will be young entrepreneurs aged 39 or younger, with the goal of actively supporting the challenges and growth of the younger generation.

The "university-led type," newly introduced this year, is a category that supports startups originating from universities, where outstanding university-owned technologies and research results are commercialized. This includes startups with items in key industries such as biotechnology and artificial intelligence, which are leading areas for each university. Selected companies will receive commercialization funding (up to 150 million won), as well as mentoring, investment attraction, global expansion, and access to startup support programs offered by each startup-centered university.

Applications can be submitted through the K-Startup website. After applications are received, the final recipients will be selected through document screening and presentation evaluations.

Meanwhile, the "First-Time Young Aspiring Entrepreneur Type," which operated separately last year, will be integrated into the newly established "Startup for All Project" this year. Through this project, the ministry plans to lower the barriers to entrepreneurship for the public and provide one-stop support from ideation to commercialization by combining challenge, incubation, and competition.

Cho Kyungwon, Director of Startup Policy at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, said, "This year, we will increase the proportion of young entrepreneurs selected as a priority and give extra points to startup companies run by young people with experience in retrying entrepreneurship, actively supporting their challenges. We will also expand support so that startup-centered universities can serve as regional startup hubs that bring together the capabilities of local communities and universities, systematically fostering the growth of promising startups."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.