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Startup Growth Technology Development — Stepping Stone / Leap

Startup Growth Technology Development

Funds early-stage Korean startups across regional, women-led, and commercialization tracks for technology development.

The Startup Growth Technology Development programme — commonly known by its Korean name 창업성장기술개발사업 and branded as Stepping Stone (디딤돌) — is administered by TIPA (Korea Technology and Information Promotion Agency for SMEs) under the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS). It is one of the ten core R&D grant programmes TIPA executes from the 2026 MSS SME R&D budget of KRW 2.2 trillion, a record allocat

Funds R&D by early-stage Korean startups across three tracks — Regional Office R&D, Women's Participation Activation, and Leap commercialization — to develop and bring technology products to market.

CycleiHow often this grant runs — e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.Multiple per year
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.12 months
Award typeiThe form of funding — grant, equity, loan, tax credit, etc.Grant
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.

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Last verified: 24 Jul 2026Source: www.smtech.go.kr