What First Gate does

First Gate (퍼스트게이트) is a Seoul-based startup accelerator and direct-investment firm founded in 2022 and headquartered in Gangnam-gu. The company runs two core programs: the First Growth Program (FGP) for Seoul-based startups under seven years of operation, and the First Women Startup (FWS) program targeting women pre-entrepreneurs and women-led startups. Selected FGP companies receive a direct equity investment of 200 million KRW or more, plus TIPS recommendation rights, IR consulting, mentoring, and global expansion support; FWS companies receive up to 10 million KRW in business funding along with customized mentoring and networking support. Program operations are delivered in partnership with the Seoul Economic Promotion Agency (SBA), Seoul Startup Hub, and the Korean Women Venture Association.

The firm's underlying capability is not a proprietary technology platform but a curated accelerator operating layer: an application funnel (Google Forms), an evaluation and investment committee, a structured curriculum of mentoring and education, and a network of TIPS partner organizations providing incubation space, IP support, commercialization assistance, and overseas market access. First Gate itself is registered as a TIPS operator and works alongside BSK Investment as a TIPS fund co-manager, channeling portfolio companies into TIPS dedicated follow-on capital. The mentor and team roster is sourced predominantly from Seoul National University alumni and former executives of Microsoft Korea, LG Electronics, Hyundai Motor Group, Samsung Electronics, Supremainc, and similar Korean corporates.

First Gate's revenue mechanics are not publicly disclosed. Economic value derives from two streams: (1) direct equity investments in portfolio companies that produce returns on exit, and (2) implicit program management and co-investment economics tied to its government-backed accelerator contracts. As of the most recent cohort announcements (FGP 3rd cohort in April 2026 and FWS 2nd cohort in April 2025), the company has accumulated 42 or more portfolio companies spanning biotech, AI, robotics, healthcare, quantum cryptography, semiconductors, space technology, content, and consumer verticals. Headcount remains small with a core operational team of seven plus an advisory bench of roughly ten external mentors.

Name

First Gate

Legal name

(주)퍼스트게이트

Website

https://firstgate.kr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Short description

First Gate (퍼스트게이트) is a Seoul-based startup accelerator founded in 2022 that runs the FGP and FWS programs, providing direct equity investment, TIPS recommendations, mentoring, and global expansion support to Seoul-located early-stage technology startups and women-led ventures.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Startup Accelerator and Venture Capital

NAICS

All Other Financial Investment Activities (52399)

SIC

Security Brokers, Dealers & Flotation Companies (6211)

akta.pro primary industry

Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated) (FSANAAAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Early-Stage Venture Capital (Pre-Seed/Seed) (FSANAAAA), Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs (FSANAHAD)

Keywords

• Startup accelerator programs
• Venture capital investment
• Startup mentoring services
• Early-stage funding
• Technology commercialization

Headquarters

HQ city

Seoul

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Direct Investment Returns: First Gate generates returns through direct equity investment in portfolio startups. They invest 200 million KRW or more per selected company through their FGP programs and provide TIPS recommendations for follow-on funding.
2. Accelerator Program Operations: The company operates accelerator programs in partnership with government agencies (SBA, Seoul Startup Hub), which likely includes program management fees or co-investment arrangements for supporting startup growth.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

First Gate (퍼스트게이트) is a Seoul-based startup accelerator and investment firm that operates cohort-based acceleration programs (FGP - First Growth Program, and FWS - First Women Startup) for early-stage technology startups within 7 years of founding. The company provides direct equity investment of KRW 200 million or more per selected startup, TIPS recommendation, expert mentoring, IR consulting, startup capacity-building education, business model optimization, and global expansion support.

Product overview

First Gate (퍼스트게이트) is a Korean startup accelerator and venture capital firm operating as a single unified service rather than a modular platform. The company offers two main accelerator programs: FGP (First Growth Program) for general Seoul-based startups under 7 years old, providing direct investment of 200M+ KRW plus TIPS recommendation and global expansion support; and FWS (First Women Startup) for women entrepreneurs offering direct investment and up to 10M KRW in business funding. Additionally, First Gate provides investment review request services for startups seeking capital, along with mentoring, IR consulting, and networking support through its partner ecosystem.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• FGP (First Growth Program): Accelerating program supporting growth of promising startups in Seoul
• FWS (First Women Startup)

Products and services

• FGP (First Growth Program) An accelerator program for Seoul-based startups under 7 years old that provides direct investment of KRW 200 million or more per company, TIPS recommendation for follow-on funding, IR consulting, startup capacity-building education, business model optimization, technology consulting, and global expansion support. Selected startups also gain access to SBA demo day participation and Seoul Startup Hub residency recommendation.
• FWS (First Women Startup) A women-specific accelerator program targeting women pre-entrepreneurs and women-led startups within 7 years of founding. Operated in partnership with the Korean Women Venture Association. Selects 6 companies per cohort and provides direct investment, business funding of up to KRW 10 million per company, customized expert mentoring, IR consulting, and networking support.
• Investment Review Request An online investment review request service for startups seeking capital. Startups can submit investment review requests via a Google Forms link to be considered for First Gate's investment portfolio and acceleration programs.

Named customers15 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Korean Women Venture Association (한국여성벤처협회)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 March 2024First Gate was selected as the operating organization for the 2024 'Private Partnership Women Venture/Startup Fostering' program hosted by Korean Women Venture Association. First Gate operates the 'First Women Startup (FWS)' acceleration program targeting women pre-entrepreneurs and women-led startups within 7 years of founding.
• Seoul Economic Promotion Agency (SBA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-operating with SBA (서울경제진흥원) to run the First Growth Program (FGP), providing demo day participation support and co-investment in Seoul-based startups.
• Seoul Startup Hub (서울창업허브)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-operating with Seoul Startup Hub for the FGP acceleration program, with recommendation rights for startups to obtain residency at the Gongdeok location.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Techstars: Global accelerator operating standardized 13-week cohort programs with mentor networks and seed investment. Comparable accelerator-plus-investment model but at much larger global scale; useful as a model reference for First Gate's program structure.
• Antler: Global early-stage VC and accelerator with active presence in Korea and Southeast Asia. Comparable cohort-based model targeting founders from idea stage through seed; broader geographic footprint gives them stronger deal-flow advantages.
• Y Combinator: Largest global startup accelerator with standardized cohort programs, direct seed investment, and extensive alumni network. As a benchmark for cohort economics and brand-driven deal flow, YC represents the upper-bound competitive threat for ambitious Korean founders.

Direct peers

• FuturePlay: Korean deep-tech accelerator and seed investor with cohort programs targeting early-stage technology startups. Comparable model of combining accelerator programming with direct equity investment in deep-tech sectors.
• D.CAMP: Korean startup accelerator founded by the Korea Internet Entrepreneurs Association with co-working, mentorship, and investment programs. Comparable Seoul-based accelerator serving early-stage Korean startups with similar programming structure.
• Primer (formerly Primer Ventures): Korean early-stage VC and TIPS operator with sector-focused investment programs. Directly comparable to First Gate on TIPS operator status, deep-tech orientation, and direct equity investment in pre-seed/seed startups.
• Seoul Venture Incubator (SVI): Korean government-backed startup incubator providing incubation space, education programs, and mentoring services. Already a TIPS Partner to First Gate; comparable Seoul-based incubator-plus-programming model.
• SparkLabs Korea: Korean startup accelerator/VC operating cohort programs with direct investment and global expansion support. Most directly comparable to First Gate's FGP model — same geography (Seoul-based), similar early-stage technology focus, and similar accelerator-plus-investment structure.
• Must Accelerator: Korean startup accelerator operating cohort programs with incubation space and overseas expansion support. Already a TIPS Partner to First Gate; comparable model of cohort-based acceleration with direct investment.

Emerging players

• BSK Investment: Korean TIPS operator identifying recommended companies and operating TIPS dedicated funds. Direct peer to First Gate on TIPS operating role; portfolio support and fund-management capabilities overlap meaningfully with First Gate's accelerator mandate.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments11 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about First Gate