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—
Programs6
Active grants5
Total grants6
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 the Global Startup Commercialization Support Program and the SME Policy Fund. The 2026 TIPS framework lifts general R&D support to KRW 800 million, Scale-up TIPS to KRW 3 billion, and Global TIPS to KRW 6 billion, while the global commercialization call averages KRW 50 million and can reach KRW 80 million per company. Since 2013, TIPS has backed more than 4,400 startups and attracted over KRW 20 trillion in follow-on private investment.

MSS works through accredited operating partners rather than a single ministry application desk. The system favors private investment first, then matched public support, with the 2026 roadmap emphasizing AI, deep tech, regional startups, and larger follow-on capital.

Programs & grants under this funder
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
Opens 2027
— 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
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