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K-Startup Grand Challenge (grant/stipend portion)

General 2026 program advertises prizes up to KRW 100 million; current international-student track offers KRW 15 million total across its top three teams · Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development (KISED) / Ministry of SMEs and Startups, South Korea · deadline 2026-08-14

Annual accelerator inviting overseas startups to Korea, providing settlement/living support and grants during the program, with additional prize grants for top-ranked teams and support to establish a Korean entity. Current lifecycle: open; next verified deadline 2026-08-14. Real economics: General 2026 program advertises prizes up to KRW 100 million; current international-student track offers KRW 15 million total across its top three teams.

Tier 3south-koreagovernmentacceleratorgrant

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Key facts

FunderKorea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development (KISED) / Ministry of SMEs and Startups, South Korea
AmountGeneral 2026 program advertises prizes up to KRW 100 million; current international-student track offers KRW 15 million total across its top three teams
Deadline2026-08-14
Decision timeDocument review and staged program selection; no simple submission-to-decision day count is published for the current track.
EligibilityCurrent August 14 route is for international students enrolled in Korea; the broader general call for non-Korean-led startups has closed for 2026.
RestrictionsSelected teams must participate in the program and satisfy track-specific Korea-entry, attendance and prize-verification rules. Current benefits support Korean market entry, business-model work, incorporation, visas and demo-day participation; cash is competitive prize funding, not automatic stipend.
Statusopen

Always confirm on the official page before applying — dates and terms change.

Application process

  1. Complete the English web application
  2. Submit nationality/enrollment or company evidence when requested
  3. Pass document and presentation review
  4. Join acceleration and Korean-market entry work
  5. Top teams pitch at demo day

Background

Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development (KISED) / Ministry of SMEs and Startups, South Korea operates K-Startup Grand Challenge (grant/stipend portion). This pass separates direct cash, repayable finance, credits, incentives and umbrella programs so later ranking does not compare unlike instruments. KISED announced approximately 100 teams for the 2026 general program. The current student track selects 20 teams and sends the top three to a COMEUP-linked demo day.

How the application really works

Complete the English web application → Submit nationality/enrollment or company evidence when requested → Pass document and presentation review → Join acceleration and Korean-market entry work → Top teams pitch at demo day

Tips

Watch out for

Track record

The current track publishes 20 selected teams but not its applicant denominator.

Frequently asked questions

Is this actionable now?
open. Next verified deadline: 2026-08-14.
What is the real economic value?
General 2026 program advertises prizes up to KRW 100 million; current international-student track offers KRW 15 million total across its top three teams
Who is eligible?
Current August 14 route is for international students enrolled in Korea; the broader general call for non-Korean-led startups has closed for 2026.
How does selection work?
Complete the English web application; Submit nationality/enrollment or company evidence when requested; Pass document and presentation review; Join acceleration and Korean-market entry work; Top teams pitch at demo day. Document review and staged program selection; no simple submission-to-decision day count is published for the current track.
What burden and restrictions apply?
Selected teams must participate in the program and satisfy track-specific Korea-entry, attendance and prize-verification rules. Current benefits support Korean market entry, business-model work, incorporation, visas and demo-day participation; cash is competitive prize funding, not automatic stipend.
What evidence exists?
KISED announced approximately 100 teams for the 2026 general program. The current student track selects 20 teams and sends the top three to a COMEUP-linked demo day. The current track publishes 20 selected teams but not its applicant denominator.

Related grants

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Sources