Korea Scale-up TIPS

Scale-up TIPS

Funds growth-stage Korean technology startups building larger technical projects with accredited operator backing.

Scale-up TIPS 2026 is a growth-stage R&D grant program operated by South Korea's Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) as a mid-tier component in the restructured TIPS lifecycle — positioned above the General Track (KRW 800 million ceiling) and below Global TIPS (KRW 6 billion ceiling). In 2026, MSS more than doubled Scale-up TIPS capacity from 152 to 300 supported projects. The combined Scale-up and Global TIPS budget for 2026 more than doubled to KRW 367.1 billion.

Scale-up TIPS provides up to KRW 3 billion in R&D support per company, targeting growth-stage Korean tech startups ready to pursue larger, longer R&D programs. The program requires selection by an accredited TIPS Operating Company — there is no direct application route. At least 50% of the 300 Scale-up projects in 2026 are reserved for startups headquartered outside the Seoul capital region. Eligible companies must be for-profit entities registered and operating in South Korea. There is no stated company-age ceiling for Scale-up TIPS (unlike General Track's seven-year limit), reflecting its focus on later-stage ventures. All documentation and evaluation procedures are conducted in Korean.

The 2026 expansion of Scale-up TIPS reflects MSS's explicit policy shift toward performance-based, higher-value support and away from entry-heavy seed grants. Minister Han Seong-sook described the recalibration as addressing structural issues where earlier programs penalized unconventional ideas and produced inconsistent reviewer outcomes. Companies already holding General Track graduation status or equivalent prior R&D backing, and targeting a KRW 3 billion R&D program, should engage accredited Scale-up TIPS operators as the primary access path to this cycle.