Pre-Startup Package

The Pre-Startup Package is KISED's commercialization grant for tech-based founders who have not yet incorporated a company. It sits inside Korea's startup support system and is aimed at individuals turning an idea into a fundable venture, rather than at existing firms. The program can award up to KRW 100 million, with a 2025 average around KRW 50 million and a total budget of KRW 49 billion supporting roughly 748 recipients. Funding is used for prototype development, intellectual property work, and business model development, and the annual cycle typically opens around February. Applicants do best when they can show a concrete technology concept, a credible path to MVP development, and a need for structured mentoring and management consulting. The program is a practical first rung for Korean pre-entrepreneurs who need capital and guidance before incorporation, rather than a later-stage scale-up route. It is especially useful for teams trying to turn an idea into a first prototype before they form a company.

Each grant below is a distinct funding opportunity with its own eligibility, scope, and deliverables.