올해의 K-스타트업(舊. 도전! K-스타트업)

K-Startup of the Year (formerly Challenge! K-Startup)

At a Glance

Financials

Budget

₩2,400M

Scale

~20 teams

Max. per recipient

Avg. per recipient

~₩120M

Benchmarks

Budget

₩2,400M

195% above average

Scale

~20 teams

122% above average

Avg. per recipient

~₩120M

318% above average

Introduction

Discovering and awarding entrepreneurs (teams) with promising startup ideas across diverse sectors through a cross-ministerial startup competition, thereby spreading a technology entrepreneurship culture

Program Description

Awards (Presidential Award, Prime Minister's Award, Minister/Commissioner Award) and prize money, with linkage to follow-up government support programs

Eligibility Criteria

Representative(s) of startups established within 3 years (*refer to detailed announcement)

Characteristics

Discovering promising entrepreneurs through multi-ministry startup competitions and expanding the startup foundation by fostering a pro-startup atmosphere throughout Korea

Timeline

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Announcement Date

Application window

Support Period

Data was parsed from source documents and synthesized with AI. Please check official links for exact dates and figures.

Announcements (5)


Closed Events and networking 『올해의 K-스타트업 2026 (舊 도전! K-스타트업)』 부처 통합 창업경진대회 공고 'K-Startup of the Year 2026 (Formerly Challenge! K-Startup)' Multi-Ministry Startup Competition Announcement 'K-Startup of the Year 2026 (Formerly Challenge! K-Startup)' Multi-Ministry Startup Competition Announcement The Ministry of Science and ICT, Ministry of Education, Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ministry of Climate Energy and Environment, Ministry of Equality and Family, Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Korean Intellectual Property Office, and Defense Acquisition Program Administration jointly announce the recruitment of participants for the 'K-Startup of the Year 2026,' a multi-ministry startup competition. We encourage active participation from startup founders. 2026.03.27 – 2026.06.30	2026.03.27	2026.06.30
Closed Events and networking [올해의 K-스타트업 예선전] 2026 스포츠산업 창업 아이디어 공모전 (연장 ~06/08) [This Year's K-Startup Pre-Round] 2026 Sports Industry Startup Idea Contest (Extended ~06/08) We are recruiting participants (teams) for the '2026 Sports Industry Startup Idea Contest (K-SPORTS BOOSTER PROGRAM Idea Contest)', which is the preliminary round of the 「This Year's K-Startup 2026」 Inter-ministerial Startup Competition. We encourage many startups to participate. 2026.04.27 – 2026.06.08	2026.04.27	2026.06.08
Closed Events and networking 『올해의 K-스타트업 2026』 혁신창업리그 참여기업 모집 공고 Call for Participating Companies in the 'K-Startup of the Year 2026' Innovation Startup League We are recruiting startup companies to participate in the Innovation Startup League, a preliminary round of the inter-ministerial competition 'K-Startup of the Year 2026'. We look forward to your active participation. 2026.04.22 – 2026.05.20	2026.04.22	2026.05.20
Closed Events and networking 『올해의 K-스타트업 2026』 AI리그 참여기업 모집 공고 Recruitment for Participating Companies in the 'K-Startup of the Year 2026' AI League We are recruiting startups to participate in the AI League, the preliminary round of the inter-ministerial competition 'K-Startup of the Year 2026'. We welcome your active participation. 2026.04.22 – 2026.05.20	2026.04.22	2026.05.20
Closed Events and networking 2026년 과학기술 창업경진대회 공고 「올해의 K-스타트업 2026 연구자리그 연계」 2026 Science and Technology Startup Competition Announcement - "K-Startup of the Year 2026 Research League Connection" We announce the recruitment of participants (teams) for the 2026 Science and Technology Startup Competition (K-Startup of the Year 2026 Research League Connection). We welcome the active participation of (prospective) entrepreneurs. 2026.04.16 – 2026.05.13	2026.04.16	2026.05.13