What K-Startup does

K-Startup is the official startup support portal of the Korean government, operated by the Korea Startup Agency (KISED, 창업진흥원) under the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (중소벤처기업부). Established in 2022 and headquartered in Sejong Special Self-Governing City, the platform functions as the unified national gateway to government-backed startup programs, aggregating support offerings from 15 central ministries (88 programs) and 96 local government entities (420 programs) — a combined 508-program slate with an approximate 2026 budget pool of KRW 5.2 trillion. The portal publishes business announcements, news, statistics, success stories, and integrates with the 중소벤처24 Single Sign-On for frictionless access across 15+ related government sites.

The platform's product surface spans four primary components: the main K-Startup portal (program discovery and application management), the Startup One-Stop Support Center (startups 원스톱 지원센터, providing expert consultation across 9 domains — domestic/overseas law, tax/accounting, support programs, management, marketing, overseas expansion, investment, IP, and space/events — with deep consultations subsidized up to KRW 3 million per company), the 모두의 창업 (Everyone's Startup) community platform, and the Global K-Founder Network for international connectivity. Tiered support programs include 예비창업패키지 (pre-startup), 초기창업패키지 (early-stage, within 3 years), 창업도약패키지 (growth-stage, 4–7 years), and 재도전성공패키지 (restart after failure), plus specialized tracks for IP (IP 나래, IP 디딤돌), global expansion (K-Startup Center, K-Global), and unicorn development (I-스타트업 유니콘드림사업). Distribution is entirely digital-plus-regional: the k-startup.go.kr web portal, 중소벤처24 SSO, 17 regional 창업경제혁신센터 (Startup Economy Innovation Centers) covering all major Korean provinces, plus partnerships on major events (COMEUP, CES).

The business model is a non-commercial public service. K-Startup is provided free of charge to all users — no subscription, no paid tiers, no commercial revenue. The platform is funded entirely through the Korean government's public budget allocations administered through the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Korea Startup Agency. The customer base consists of pre-startup entrepreneurs and technology-based startup companies (within 10 years of founding, operating in new industry sectors), with 15 central ministries and 96 local governments acting as the program-supply counterparties rather than traditional B2B customers.

Name

K-Startup

Legal name

창업진흥원 (Korea Startup Agency)

Website

https://k-startup.go.kr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Short description

K-Startup is the official Korean government startup support portal, operated by the Korea Startup Agency under the Ministry of SMEs and Startups. It aggregates 508 public startup programs across 15 ministries and 96 local governments, providing free program discovery, expert consultation across 9 domains, and 17 regional support centers for Korean entrepreneurs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Startup Support Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Entrepreneurship Foundations & Startup Basics (EDAMAHAA)

Keywords

• Government startup support
• Entrepreneur advisory services
• Startup program aggregation
• Innovation ecosystem portal
• Expert consulting matchmaking

Headquarters

HQ city

Sejung

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government-funded public service: K-Startup is a free-of-charge government portal. All information, registration, and consultation services are provided at no cost to entrepreneurs. The portal is funded through the Korean government's small and medium enterprise (SMEs) budget appropriations managed by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (중소벤처기업부) and the Korea Startup Agency (창업진흥원).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

K-Startup is the official Korean government web portal that aggregates all national startup support programs and provides a single gateway for entrepreneurs to discover, apply for, and receive guidance on government-funded programs. It operates the Startup One-Stop Support Center, an online consultation platform that matches technology-based startups with expert advisors across 9 domains (law, tax, accounting, management, marketing, overseas expansion, investment, IP/patents, support programs, space/events), and integrates via SSO with 15+ related ministry sites. The service is provided free of charge, funded through the Ministry of SMEs and Startups budget.

Product overview

K-Startup is a comprehensive Korean government startup support platform operated by the Korea Entrepreneurship Development Institute (창업진흥원). The platform consists of multiple integrated components: (1) K-Startup 창업지원포털 as the main portal for startup support programs and services, (2) 스타트업 원스톱 지원센터 providing expert consulting across 9 fields, (3) 모두의 창업 community platform, and (4) 글로벌 K-파운더 네트워크 for international connectivity. The platform offers structured support programs including 예비창업패키지 for pre-startups, 초기창업패키지 for early-stage, 창업도약패키지 for growth-stage, and 재도전성공패키지 for entrepreneurs restarting after failure. Additional services include IP programs (IP 나래, IP 디딤돌), global expansion support (K-스타트업 센터, K-Global), and the innovation ecosystem dashboard. The system also integrates with中小벤처24 SSO for unified access to government startup services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 스타트업 원스톱 지원센터 (Startup One-Stop Support Center): Online consulting center providing expert advisory services in law, tax, management, marketing, overseas expansion, investment attraction, and intellectual property for technology-based startups.

Products and services

• K-Startup 창업지원포털 (K-Startup Support Portal) The main government startup support web portal providing integrated access to 500+ startup support programs, business announcements, news, statistics, expert advisory, and government services via SSO integration. Serves Korean entrepreneurs and tech-based startups free of charge.
• 스타트업 원스톱 지원센터 (Startup One-Stop Support Center) Online one-stop consulting center providing expert advisory services across 9 specialized fields (domestic/overseas law, tax & accounting, management, marketing, overseas expansion, investment attraction, IP/patents, support programs, space/events) for technology-based startups and pre-startup entrepreneurs. Includes general consultation (free, unlimited) and deep consultation (subsidized up to KRW 3 million per company).
• 예비창업패키지 (Pre-Startup Package) Pre-startup support program providing mentorship matching, education, and resources for individuals preparing to launch a venture. Stage-based program for prospective founders.
• 초기창업패키지 (Early-Startup Package) Early-stage startup support program for startups within 3 years of establishment, providing comprehensive business development assistance across program categories including 사업화, R&D, space/incubation, mentoring, funding, and global expansion.
• 창업도약패키지 (Startup Growth Package) Growth-stage startup support program for companies 4-7 years old, focusing on business acceleration and scale-up through government-backed programs.
• 재도전성공패키지 (Restart Success Package) Restart support program for entrepreneurs who have previously failed and wish to re-attempt entrepreneurship with new ventures.
• K-스타트업 센터 (KSC, K-Startup Center) Global startup center program establishing overseas platforms to facilitate foreign market entry for Korean startups, attract local investment, and enable cross-border entrepreneurship exchanges.
• K-Global 해외진출지원사업 (K-Global Overseas Expansion Support Program) Global expansion support program providing capability building, consulting, tech matching, and networking services for Korean ICT and digital technology companies seeking foreign market entry.
• I-스타트업 유니콘드림사업 (I-Startup Unicorn Dream Program) Unicorn development program utilizing global enterprise resources to rapidly nurture Korean startups into unicorn companies within the Korean startup ecosystem.
• IP 나라 프로그램 (IP Nation Program) IP support program providing intellectual property consulting to help established startups strengthen IP capabilities and gain market competitiveness.
• IP 디딤돌 프로그램 (IP Stepping Stone Program) Early-stage IP support program offering patent consulting from the idea stage to help startups develop business ideas and secure patent rights.
• 창업사사업시스템 (Program Management System / PMS) Startup Business Integrated Information Management System providing user manuals and program management interfaces for applicants, operating institutions, accounting firms, and preliminary committee members.
• 혁신창업생태계 대시보드 (Innovation Startup Ecosystem Dashboard) Analytics dashboard analyzing Korea's innovation startup ecosystem performance using statistics and indices on entrepreneurship drawn from domestic and international sources.
• 모두의 창업 (Everyone's Startup) Community platform for sharing startup stories and accessing startup-related information, integrated with K-Startup for seamless service provision to entrepreneurs.
• 글로벌 K-파운더 네트워크 (Global K-Founder Network) Global network connecting Korean entrepreneurs worldwide, facilitating cross-border collaboration and Korean startup ecosystem connectivity across international markets.
• BRIDGE DAY Event program where startups can resolve on-site business concerns and network with startup ecosystem experts in a single dedicated engagement session.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2026 total startup support budget of approximately KRW 5.2 trillion across 508 programs from central and local governments
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Bpifrance: French public investment bank providing comprehensive state-backed support for startups and SMEs including financing, guarantees, innovation grants, and accelerator programs. Comparable as a state-affiliated hub offering subsidized advisory and program aggregation across French entrepreneurship ecosystem.
• Innovate UK: UK's national innovation agency (under UK Research and Innovation) funding business-led R&D and supporting innovative business growth. Comparable as a state-funded innovation support entity providing grants, expert advice, and ecosystem connections similar in mandate and structure to K-Startup.
• Enterprise Singapore: Singapore government statutory board supporting enterprise development with global markets access, capability building, and innovation programs. Comparable as a state-led, government-mandated startup/SME support ecosystem providing structured programs and advisory services.
• Israel Innovation Authority: Israeli government authority supporting industrial R&D and innovation through grants, programs, and ecosystem development. Comparable as a state-led innovation support entity providing structured funding and program pathways for technology-based ventures.
• Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME): Korea's sister state agency under the same Ministry of SMEs and Startups, focused on SME financing, export support, and capacity building. Highly comparable as a Korean government state entity providing structured startup/SME services with overlapping but distinct mandates.
• Startup India: India's official government startup portal operated by DPIIT (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade). Directly comparable as a state-run startup support hub offering program discovery, funding access, tax incentives, and ecosystem aggregation, with similar mandate-based positioning.

Broad incumbents

• Station F: World's largest startup campus located in Paris, hosting thousands of entrepreneurs in a single facility with partners including public agencies. Comparable as a large-scale startup hub blending physical infrastructure and government-aligned support programs at national scale.
• Plug and Play Tech Center: Global startup accelerator and venture fund operating across 50+ industry verticals and locations with corporate partnerships. Comparable as a broader ecosystem player offering accelerator programs and government-adjacent support, though privately held with different monetization model.
• Small Business Administration (SBA): US federal agency supporting small business through loans, contracting, and counseling. Comparable as a US government-mandated small business support institution, though broader in scope (covering all small businesses, not just tech startups).

Others

• Y Combinator: Global leading private startup accelerator with a network of thousands of funded companies. Comparable as an alternative private-sector model for startup support and ecosystem development, highlighting the structural difference from K-Startup's government-mandated portal approach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/startup.go.kr

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about K-Startup