Ministry of SMEs and Startups logo
Funder · Federal agency

Ministry of SMEs and Startups

Funds South Korean entrepreneurship policy via the Ministry of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises and Startups, coordinating support agencies.

South Koreawww.mss.go.kr
Key stats
Annual funding—
Programs15
Active grants6
Total grants15
About

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups is South Korea's cabinet ministry for startup policy, SME development, and venture finance. Headquartered in Sejong, it sets the country's flagship public-private R&D support architecture and funnels delivery through KISED, KOSME, and KIBO.

Its best-known routes are the TIPS family, including General TIPS, Deep-Tech TIPS, Scale-up TIPS, and Global TIPS, alongside…

Programs & grants under this funder
AI+ OpenData Challenge

Funds Korean AI startups solving public-service problems with operational data and a route to government deployment.

1 grant
AI+ OpenData Challenge
Between cycles
— pool
AI Talent Demonstration Startup Package

Funds Korean startups hiring trained AI talent to solve a defined product, service, or operating problem.

1 grant
AI Talent Demonstration Startup Package
Closed
— pool
AroundX

Funds Korean startups building products and market access with global companies through open-innovation projects.

1 grant
AroundX
Between cycles
— pool
Challenge for All Defense

Funds Korean defense startups validating prototypes and proofs of concept with military and industry buyers.

1 grant
Challenge for All Defense
Between cycles
— pool
Corporate Partnership for Overseas Expansion

Funds Korean SMEs entering overseas markets through projects run with companies that already have global channels.

1 grant
Corporate Partnership for Overseas Expansion
Open
₩16.9B pool·Rolling submission
Global Startup Commercialization Support Program

Provides Korean market-entry grant for foreign-founded startups, supporting long-term sustainable commercialization and growth.

1 grant
Global Startup Commercialization Support
Closed
— pool
Government Test-and-Buy Smart City

Funds Korean startups demonstrating smart-city technology with public bodies and opening a route to pilot purchases.

1 grant
Government Test-and-Buy Smart City
Closed
— pool
K-Micro-Enterprise Initiative

Funds Korean micro-enterprises turning proven export demand into products, brands, certifications, and overseas sales.

1 grant
K-Micro-Enterprise Initiative
Closed
— pool
Open Innovation Strategic Challenge

Funds Korean startups solving defined technology problems with large companies and public institutions.

1 grant
Open Innovation Strategic Challenge
Between cycles
— pool
SME Policy Fund

Funds Government-backed low-interest loans for Korean startups and small and enterprises supported funds.

1 grant
SME Policy Fund
Open
₩4431.3B pool·Rolling submission
Unicorn Bridge

Funds high-growth Korean technology companies scaling overseas, raising global capital, and preparing for public markets.

1 grant
Unicorn Bridge
Closed
— pool
Korea TIPS (revamped)

Runs private investor matching grants for Korean early-stage technology startups through the Korea TIPS.

1 grant
TIPS General Track
Open
₩668.4B pool
Korea Deep-Tech TIPS Follow-up Support

Offers Additional innovation grant for TIPS graduates in AI semiconductors through the Korea Deep Tech TIPS Follow-up Support.

1 grant
Deep-Tech TIPS Follow-up
Open
— pool
Korea Global TIPS

Supports technology startup teams in South Korea by guiding innovation from prototype work to stronger buyer demand.

1 grant
Global TIPS
Open
— pool
Korea Scale-up TIPS

Helps technology startup teams in South Korea to build innovation work toward measurable commercialization outcomes.

1 grant
Scale-up TIPS
Open
— pool
Last verified: 30 May 2026Source: www.mss.go.kr