KDB Next One
KDB NextONE is Korea Development Bank's startup incubation and acceleration program, providing direct equity investment, mentoring, structured education, and overseas expansion support to early-stage Korean startups across offices in Seoul, Busan, and Gwangju.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2025
- HeadquartersYongdungpo, South Korea
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What KDB Next One does
KDB NextONE is a startup incubation and acceleration program operated by Korea Development Bank (KDB), one of South Korea's largest state-owned policy financial institutions. The program provides direct equity investment, structured education in finance, accounting, HR, and legal, VC-matched mentoring, and overseas market entry support to early-stage Korean startups. Operating from three physical offices in Seoul (Mapo Front1, ~297㎡), Busan (~535.5㎡), and Gwangju (~504.88㎡), the program reports cumulative investment of 132.1 billion KRW (~₩1,321억) across 101 portfolio companies as of H2 2025.
The platform delivers its offering through a structured cohort-based accelerator framework with nine distinct program tracks: corporate diagnostics and due diligence, common education (finance/accounting/labor/HR/legal), workshops with VC roundtables, intensive 1-on-1 VC mentoring, overseas market entry strategy consulting via KDB's global venture network, the NextRound IR support program for alumni fundraising, overseas roadshows with local VC matchmaking, demo days, and closing days. Startups apply directly through the kdbnextone.kr website and are selected into cohort-based programs at no cost; the program's economic model rests on equity appreciation and exit returns from direct investments into portfolio companies rather than product or service fees.
The program primarily serves early-stage Korean startups with capital, mentorship, and internationalization needs, and secondarily serves VC investors and mentors who source curated deal flow through participation in Demo Days, Closing Days, and mentor matching. Geographic focus is domestic South Korea, with overseas expansion support provided through KDB's international venture network rather than direct offshore operations. KDB NextONE is distinct from parallel government-backed programs such as KOSME's Youth Startup Academy, though both operate within South Korea's broader public-sector startup incubation ecosystem.
KDB Next One firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- KDB Next One
- Legal name
- KDB NextONE (넥스트원)
- Website
- https://kdbnextone.kr
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2025
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- KDB NextONE is Korea Development Bank's startup incubation and acceleration program, providing direct equity investment, mentoring, structured education, and overseas expansion support to early-stage Korean startups across offices in Seoul, Busan, and Gwangju.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
KDB Next One industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Startup Accelerator Services
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (61171)
- akta.pro primary industry
- National Development Banks & State Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) (BPADACAC)
Keywords
Where KDB Next One is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Yongdungpo
- HQ country
- South Korea
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices3 records
Markets served
KDB Next One business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Investment Returns from Portfolio Companies: KDB NextONE provides direct investment to selected startup cohorts and generates returns through equity appreciation and exits. It operates as an accelerator investing institutional capital into early-stage companies, not a product-revenue business.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | — | No-cost accelerator program for selected startups |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
KDB Next One product offering
Product offeringCore offering
KDB NextONE is a startup incubation and acceleration program operated by Korea Development Bank (KDB), providing direct equity investment of up to 200 million KRW per selected startup, along with structured education, VC mentoring, corporate diagnosis, overseas expansion consulting, and Demo Day/IR support for early-stage Korean startups.
Product overview
KDB NextONE is a startup incubation and acceleration program operated by Korea Development Bank. The platform offers a comprehensive suite of programs including corporate due diligence, education, workshops, mentoring, overseas market strategy consulting, investment round support (NextRound), overseas roadshows, demo days, and closing events. With offices in Seoul (Mapo Front1), Busan, and Gwangju, the program has supported 101 companies with 132.1 billion won in cumulative investment achievements (as of 2025 H2).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- KDB NextONE Startup Acceleration Program
Quantifiable outcome
- 101 companies invested; 1,321억원 total investment (Seoul/Busan/Gwangju combined, as of H2 2025)
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use KDB Next One
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
KDB Next One technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
KDB Next One partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- KOSME (Korea SMEs and Startups Agency)coreKOSME is a government agency supporting SME and startup growth in South Korea. It operates parallel startup acceleration programs (Youth Startup Academy) in collaboration with regional partners. KDB NextONE and KOSME operate in the same startup incubation ecosystem, with KOSME running programs such as the Youth Startup Academy in northern Gyeonggi that has incubated 275 corporations over seven years.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
KDB Next One competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- KOSME (Korea SMEs and Startups Agency): KOSME operates parallel government-backed startup incubation and acceleration programs in South Korea, including the Youth Startup Academy that has incubated 275 corporations. It is the most direct comparator to KDB NextONE in mandate, structure, and target segment.
- D.CAMP: D.CAMP is a bank-backed startup accelerator and venture fund established by major Korean financial institutions. It provides investment, mentoring, and office space to Korean startups, directly overlapping KDB NextONE's mandate and capital-deployment model.
- TIPS (Tech Incubator Program for Startup): TIPS is a Korean government-operated startup incubator program that provides direct investment, operator mentoring, and ecosystem support to early-stage Korean startups. It directly competes with KDB NextONE for high-quality deal flow and VC operator participation.
Broad incumbents
- KOTEC (Korea Technology Finance Corporation): KOTEC is a Korean government-backed institution providing technology financing, guarantees, and startup support programs. While broader in mandate than KDB NextONE, it operates in the same state-backed SME/startup development ecosystem and channels capital to early-stage companies.
- Korea Credit Guarantee Fund (KODIT): KODIT is a Korean government credit guarantee institution that supports SME and startup financing through guarantee programs and direct investment vehicles. It is comparable to KDB NextONE as a state-backed capital provider targeting early-stage Korean companies.
- KISED (Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development): KISED is a Korean government agency that designs and implements national startup and entrepreneurship policies, including accelerator and incubation programs. It is a policy-level peer operating in the same national startup ecosystem as KDB NextONE.
Emerging players
- Plug and Play Korea: Plug and Play Korea is the Korean arm of the global Plug and Play accelerator network, running vertical-specific cohort programs and connecting Korean startups to corporate partners and investors. It competes for high-quality Korean startup deal flow against KDB NextONE.
- SparkLabs Korea: SparkLabs is a Korea-headquartered accelerator and early-stage VC that runs cohort-based programs with strong international network support. It is a private-sector comparator to KDB NextONE for early-stage Korean startups seeking investment and overseas expansion.
- Primer (by Sazze): Primer is a Korea-based early-stage accelerator that invests in and mentors Korean startups with a focus on global market expansion. It is comparable to KDB NextONE's overseas expansion consulting and roadshow program offering.
Regional players
- Seoul Business Agency (SBA): SBA is a Seoul metropolitan government agency that runs startup incubation, acceleration, and global expansion programs targeting Seoul-based founders. It directly competes with KDB NextONE's Seoul (Mapo) office for the same regional startup pool.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
KDB Next One financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
KDB Next One leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
KDB Next One funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
KDB Next One M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments3 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about KDB Next One
What does KDB Next One do?
KDB NextONE is a startup incubation and acceleration program operated by Korea Development Bank (KDB), providing direct equity investment of up to 200 million KRW per selected startup, along with structured education, VC mentoring, corporate diagnosis, overseas expansion consulting, and Demo Day/IR support for early-stage Korean startups.
Is KDB Next One a public or private company?
KDB Next One is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was KDB Next One founded?
KDB Next One was founded in 2025.
Where is KDB Next One based?
KDB Next One is headquartered in Yongdungpo, South Korea, in the Asia region.
How does KDB Next One make money?
One revenue line is on record: investment Returns from Portfolio Companies.
Who are KDB Next One's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are KOSME (Korea SMEs and Startups Agency), D.CAMP and TIPS (Tech Incubator Program for Startup). Broad incumbents are KOTEC (Korea Technology Finance Corporation), Korea Credit Guarantee Fund (KODIT) and KISED (Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development). Emerging players are Plug and Play Korea, SparkLabs Korea and Primer (by Sazze). Seoul Business Agency (SBA) is listed as a regional player.
Does KDB Next One have an API?
No public API is recorded for KDB Next One.
What industry is KDB Next One in?
KDB Next One's product category is Startup Accelerator Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADACAC, National Development Banks & State Development Finance Institutions (DFIs). Its NAICS code is 61171.