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