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Challenge! K-Startup

Challenge! K-Startup

Supports early Korean startup teams through a competitive challenge route for commercialization and market entry readiness.

ClosedKorea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship DevelopmentSouth Korea
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About

Challenge! K-Startup is an annual national competition operated by the Korea Institute of Startup and Entrepreneurship Development (KISED) to discover and recognize Korea's most promising pre-entrepreneurs and early-stage startup founders. The 2025 edition allocated a total prize pool of approximately KRW 1.4 billion across 20 final award recipients, with the top award being a Presidential Award c…

What this grant funds

Korean pre-entrepreneurs and early-stage startup founders across all industries competing for national recognition and commercialization prizes.

Key facts
CycleiHow often this grant runs — e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.Annual
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.—
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.—
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.—
Award typeiThe form of funding — grant, equity, loan, tax credit, etc.Prize
Match fundingiThe share of project costs you must cover yourself. 0% = fully funded.0%
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.â‚©1.4B
Funding analytics

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Industries

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Eligibility criteria

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Application process

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Timeline

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Last verified: 22 Jul 2026Source: www.kised.or.kr