TIPS — Tech Incubator Program for Startups
Offers Korean technology ventures matching support for execution and commercialization readiness.
The Tech Incubator Program for Startups (TIPS) is Korea's flagship government-backed R&D matching program, operated by the Korea Institute of Startup and Entrepreneurship Development (KISED). Under TIPS, accredited private operating organizations — venture capital firms, accelerators, and startup planners — screen innovative deep-tech startups, make their own investments, and then recommend selected companies to KISED for government co-funding. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year, with separate assessment cycles for commercialization support and overseas marketing grants.
TIPS operates across three tiers. The main TIPS tier supports startups up to seven years old with a team of at least two, offering up to KRW 800 million in R&D funding per company; the total main-tier budget stands at KRW 177.7 billion supporting approximately 300 companies annually. Pre-TIPS targets earlier teams — up to three years old, team of two or more, having attracted at least KRW 10 million from investors within the prior year — with a KRW 3 billion pool for roughly 30 teams. Post-TIPS, for graduates meeting revenue, export, or investment thresholds, provides KRW 500 million in follow-up commercialization funding over two years, from a KRW 14.4 billion pool for around 40 companies.
Because access is gated through accredited private operators, applicants cannot submit directly to KISED; the path to TIPS begins by engaging a recognized TIPS operator whose investment is a prerequisite for a government recommendation. The program scaled from 520 supported startups in 2025 to a target of 620 in 2026, with 30 new private operators added and a general TIPS budget of KRW 668.4 billion — a 39.9 percent year-on-year increase. Startups with deep-tech IP, a committed co-investor, and a clear commercialization roadmap are the strongest candidates for operator recommendation.
Deep-tech Korean startups in any sector recommended by accredited private operators (VCs or accelerators) for government-matched R&D commercialization funding.
Sign up free to see the funding breakdown
Sign up free to see the industries in scope
Sign up free to see the full eligibility
Sign up free to see how to apply
Sign up free to see the timeline