Korean Government Funding Program Domain Knowledge
Funding Ecosystem Overview
Classification by Administering Agency
| Category |
Agency |
Key Programs |
| Central Government |
중소벤처기업부 |
TIPS, 예비창업패키지, 초기창업패키지, 창업성장기술개발 |
| Central Government |
과학기술정보통신부 |
AI 바우처, R&D 사업, 정보통신산업진흥원 |
| Central Government |
산업통상자원부 |
산업기술개발, 소재부품장비 |
| Local Government |
서울시 / SBA |
서울형 R&D, 서울창업허브 |
| Local Government |
경기도 / 경기창조경제혁신센터 |
경기 스타트업 지원 |
| Local Government |
각 테크노파크 |
Regional R&D, Commercialization Support |
| Public Institutions |
KOTRA |
글로벌 액셀러레이팅, K-스타트업 그랜드챌린지 |
| Public Institutions |
NIPA |
정보통신산업진흥원, AI 바우처, R&D 사업 |
| Private Sector |
Major Accelerators |
Sparklabs, Mash Up, Fastventures, etc. |
| Large Companies |
Open Innovation |
Samsung, LG, SK, Hyundai Motors, etc. |
| Global |
Global |
YC, Techstars, 500 Startups |
Detailed Program Profiles
TIPS (기술창업투자프로그램 — Technology Startup Investment Program)
- Administering Agency: 중소벤처기업부 / Private Operators (AC, VC)
- Funding Scale: Up to 500M KRW (R&D 300M + Commercialization 200M)
- Target: Tech-based startups (operating for less than 7 years)
- Core Model: Private operator invests first → Government matching funding
- Selection Process: Operator recommendation → Document review → Pitch evaluation
- Emphasis Points: Technology innovation, global expansion potential
- Key Success Factor: Choosing the right operator with relevant portfolio in your industry
Early-Stage Startup Package (예비창업패키지)
- Administering Agency: 중소벤처기업부
- Funding Scale: Up to 100M KRW
- Target: Pre-founders (not yet incorporated)
- Emphasis Points: Commercialization feasibility, idea innovation, founder capability
- Critical Feature: Customer interviews and market validation evidence are essential
Initial Startup Package (초기창업패키지)
- Administering Agency: 중소벤처기업부
- Funding Scale: Up to 100M KRW
- Target: Startups operating for 3 years or less
- Emphasis Points: Actual achievements (revenue, customers), growth potential
Startup Growth Technology Development (창업성장기술개발 — R&D Project)
- Administering Agency: 중소벤처기업부 / 창업진흥원
- Funding Scale: Up to 300M KRW (1-2 years)
- Target: Startups under 7 years old with R&D capability
- Emphasis Points: Technology roadmap concreteness, R&D expense execution plan
- Critical Feature: Annual technology targets and performance metrics are mandatory
AI Voucher (AI 바우처)
- Administering Agency: 과학기술정보통신부 / 정보통신산업진흥원(NIPA)
- Funding Scale: Up to 300M KRW
- Target: Companies requiring AI technology adoption/development
- Emphasis Points: AI application scenario specificity, pre/post-adoption KPIs
- Characteristic: Supplier-Demand company matching structure (AI provider + AI adopter)
Global Accelerating / K-Startup Grand Challenge (글로벌 액셀러레이팅 / K-스타트업 그랜드챌린지)
- Administering Agency: KOTRA / 중소벤처기업부
- Support Includes: Overseas VC connections, localization support, global demo day
- Target: Startups with intention to expand globally
- Emphasis Points: Global market analysis, localization strategy
Common Evaluation Framework
Most funding programs evaluate along these four axes:
| Evaluation Axis |
Core Question |
Evidence Items |
| Technology |
How original is the technology? |
Patents, TRL, competitive performance |
| Market Opportunity |
How large and growing is the market? |
TAM/SAM/SOM, CAGR |
| Commercialization Feasibility |
Can you generate revenue? |
Business model, revenue history, customer count |
| Team Capability |
Can this team execute? |
Education/experience, role distribution, track record |
Key Sourcing Portals
| Portal |
URL |
Specialty |
| 기업마당 |
bizinfo.go.kr |
Integrated government funding program search |
| K-Startup |
k-startup.go.kr |
Startup funding programs specialized |
| TIPS |
tips.go.kr |
TIPS operators list, announcements |
| 중소기업 통합공시 |
smes.go.kr |
SME announcements |
| 과기부 R&D |
ntis.go.kr |
National R&D projects |
| SBA |
sba.seoul.kr |
Seoul-based companies specialized |
| 경기기업비서 |
egbiz.or.kr |
Gyeonggi Province companies specialized |
| NIPA |
https://www.nipa.kr/home/2-2?tab=1 |
정보통신산업진흥원 |
| KOTRA |
kotra.or.kr |
Global expansion support |
Funding Program Annual Calendar (Approximate Timeline)
| Month |
Key Programs |
| Jan~Feb |
예비창업패키지, TIPS Round 1 |
| Mar~Apr |
초기창업패키지, 창업성장기술개발 Round 1, Local government projects |
| May~Jun |
AI 바우처, TIPS Round 2, 글로벌 액셀러레이팅 |
| Jul~Aug |
Mid-term review and Round 2 recruitment |
| Sep~Oct |
창업성장기술개발 Round 2, Local government H2 projects |
| Nov~Dec |
Next-year budget-reflected announcements, Open Innovation programs |
For exact schedules, check 기업마당(bizinfo.go.kr)
Review Process
1. Check announcement → Review eligibility requirements
↓
2. Write business plan (사업계획서) → Submit
↓
3. Document review (2~4 weeks)
↓
4. Pitch evaluation (Presentation, 10~20 min) ← TIPS/R&D projects only
↓
5. Selection announcement → Sign agreement
↓
6. Funding disbursement → Project execution
↓
7. Mid-term checkpoint / Final performance report
Program Selection Strategy
| Situation |
Recommended Program |
| Pre-founder, idea stage |
예비창업패키지 |
| 1-3 years old, initial revenue |
초기창업패키지, TIPS |
| Requires technology development funding |
창업성장기술개발, TIPS |
| AI technology adoption/development |
AI 바우처 |
| Seoul-based, needs regional network |
서울형 R&D, SBA 프로그램 |
| Global expansion preparation |
K-스타트업 그랜드챌린지, KOTRA |
| Requires corporate partnership |
대기업 오픈이노베이션 |