Apply for K-Startup Grand Challenge 2025 to win a share of $633,000
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) has opened applications to foreign startups for the K-Startup Grand Challenge 2025. Launched in 2016, the accelerator is a soft landing programme funded by the MSS and backed by South Korea’s government and the National IT Industry Promotion Agency (NIPA) to assist foreign startups in expanding into Korea and scaling across Asia.
This year, the programme will provide equity-free investment for the top-performing firms, including travel and living stipends for chosen participants, and commercialisation grants for the best-performing startups.
The program provides startups direct access to over 20 of Korea’s top businesses, such as Samsung, Hyundai, LG, and KT, facilitating strategic alliances and high-impact proof-of-concept initiatives.
“KSGC 2025 reflects Korea’s commitment to being more than a launchpad—it’s a true partner in global growth,” said Andy Taekseon Kim, Deputy Director of the Global Startup Division at the MSS. “This program is designed to provide what global founders need most: strategic flexibility, substantial non-dilutive funding, and direct access to Korea’s key industries.”
The KSGC 2025 is divided into three distinct stages:
- Market exploration: a three-week online activity that focuses on localisation tactics, discovering Korean markets, and mentorship
- Market entry: includes business development, incorporation, investor engagement, and practical acceleration in Korea
- Market growth: offers specialised assistance for sustained expansion and visibility in Korea, including funds for the top eight teams to pursue further commercialisation
Benefits
For selected participants, the K-Startup Grand Challenge 2025 offers the following benefits:
- Travel grants and prize money
- Business acceleration, customised for the Asian and Korean market
- Connections with leading industry leaders and investors
- Support for Visas and incorporations
- An office space in two prime locations, Pangyo and Gangnam
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Who can apply
To be eligible for the K-Startup Grand Challenge 2025, applicants must be:
- Startups and pre-startups founded in the last seven years
- Startups in new business sectors that are under ten years old
- Foreigners or international students
It is also important to note that previous KSGC competitors from 2016 to 2024 are not allowed to apply for the K-Startup Grand Challenge 2025.
Key dates to remember
- Application period: April 29- June 13, 2025
- Announcement of shortlisted startups: July 15, 2025
- Phase 1 start: July 21, 2025
- Phase 1 end: August 8, 2025
- APEC showcase: September 4-5, 2025
- Phase 2 start: September 4, 2025
- Phase 2 end: December 12, 2025
- Demo day: December 10-11, 2025
- Phase 3 start: December 1, 2025
- Phase 3 end: January 31, 2026
- Final demo day & evaluation: April 15, 2026
How to apply
Interested participants should submit their application for the K-Startup Grand Challenge 2025 through the official application platform on or before Friday, June 13, 2025.
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