AI-powered solutions to navigate and access Korea's startup funding programs
The Global Startup Immigration Center, managed by Korea Management Association Consulting (KMAC), is hosting the 2026 Global Startup Challenge under the OASIS-6 program. The purpose of this competition is to discover excellent startup items and creative intellectual property ideas from prospective foreign tech entrepreneurs.
Aside from providing a platform to validate early-stage business models, it offers participants the chance to earn mandatory points for the D-8-4 technology startup visa, open new markets, and connect with local investments. Understanding how this competition is evaluated is your first step to preparing a strong application and pitch deck.
In the first round, your application, business plan, and pitch deck are reviewed to select the candidates who will move on to Round 2. Applications are be scored out of 100 points, with a possible 10 bonus points.
A strong application starts with a clear "why," so evaluators assess the adequacy of your motivation and the background for developing your idea. Ensure your application specifically answers the "why Korea" question.
Application Must Haves:
• Defined and specific pain point and who's experiencing it.
• Explanation of what led you to this idea (ex. professional experience, research, firsthand observation in Korea, etc.)
• Analysis of why existing solutions fall short.
This category rewards founders who have thoroughly researched the local landscape. The judges look at your understanding of the Korean market and how specific your business plan is.
Application Must Haves:
• Identify your target customer segments in Korea (TAM, SAM, SOM).
• Local competitor research and your differentiation.
• Evidence of your understanding of the regulatory environment relevant to your product or service.
• Execution plan with concrete milestones.
Ideas are only as good as your ability to execute them. This category assesses the specificity of your market entry strategy and your plans for raising necessary capital.
Application Must Haves:
• Break down of how much funding you need and what it will be used for.
• Realistic funding sources (i.e. government grants, angel investment, or venture capital).
• Go-to-market strategy names specific customer acquisition channels, pilots, or partnerships in Korea.
A solid plan requires the right people. Your score here is based on the expertise of the representative and the team members. Relevant industry experience, technical skills, prior startup history, and existing networks in Korea all strengthen your score.
The 20 teams that pass the first round will receive 1:1 consulting in November in prepartion for the live IR pitch in December.
Judges score the specificity of the commercialization strategy for turning that idea into a business. Ensure your pitch clearly answers:
• What does your product do that existing solutions in Korea do not?
• What are the concrete steps from today's stage to launch and first revenue?
• How will you protect your advantage, whether through IP, technology, or partnerships?
*Note: The IP of ideas disclosed after submission are not legally protected. If your idea depends on proprietary technology, file for intellectual property rights before you apply.
Judges evaluate whether your startup plan is grounded in reality and whether your business item can actually be built.
This is your opportunity to show why you and your team are the right people to execute. In Round 2, judges evaluate not only your background but your execution capacity: your operational readiness and your practical understanding of running a startup in Korea.
Judges evaluate your attitude, logical flow, delivery, and credibility. Ensure your deck is well organized and your can present with confidence. Practice in front of others, especially fellow founders.
Conducting the presentation in Korean will earn you up to 10 points.
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A total of 26 million KRW in prize money will be distributed among 10 winning teams.
All award winners will receive an OASIS-6 Education Completion Certificate. When submitted to the Ministry of Justice (Immigration Office), it grants 30 points toward the mandatory requirements of the D-8-4 Technology Startup Visa, covering half of the 60-point threshold in a single award.
Keep in mind that if multiple people participate in OASIS-6 jointly, the 30 points are divided among them. A three-person team, for example, would earn 10 points each. If the visa points matter most to one founder on your team, factor this into which team members you register with.
Every team that passes the document review receives customized support to prepare for the final pitch:
Winners who want ongoing support can receive tailored post-competition consulting in any of the following areas: D-8-4 visa issuance, accelerator programs, marketing, organizational management, startup accounting, and legal and patent matters.
The 2026 Global Startup Challenge gives foreign founders a structured path to go from startup idea to launching their business. To give yourself the strongest chance of winning, lead with a well-defined problem, and show that you understand the Korean market. Additionally, claim every bonus point you can.
For official guidelines and templates, visit the Global Startup Immigration Center website. For direct inquiries, contact the 2026 Global Startup Challenge secretariat by email at [email protected] or by phone at 02-2135-6148 or 02-2135-3380.
Symone Gosby
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