TIPS (Tech Incubator Program for Startup) — R&D General Track
Korea Ministry of SMEs and Startups · Innovation grant (investor-matched)
$570KR&D funding up to KRW 800M over 2 years (raised from KRW 500M in 2026), plus separate non-R&D commercialization/overseas-marketing support; Deep-tech follow-on track up to KRW 1.5B over 3 years.
Korea's flagship private-led startup R&D program: a TIPS operator (accredited VC/accelerator) invests first, then the government matches with large R&D grants.
Key terms
- Requires prior investment by a TIPS operator: KRW 200M (Seoul metro area) or KRW 100M (non-metro)
- Startup must be nominated/recommended by a TIPS operator
- Team of 2+ members with advanced/high-tech item; R&D up to 2 years (deep-tech up to 3)
- 50% of general-track slots reserved for non-metropolitan companies; 10% for ESG/climate
- Operator investment is equity; the government R&D grant itself is non-dilutive
Eligibility
- Where
- South Korea
- Stages
- pre-seed, seed
- Needs VC/accelerator backing
- Yes
- Needs partner referral code
- Yes
- Must be incorporated
- Yes
- AI focus required
- No
- Students / researchers
- Not eligible
- Nonprofits
- Not eligible
Also required
- Operator investment of KRW 100M–200M required first
How to apply
Secure investment from an accredited TIPS operator, which recommends you to the program; then apply under the 2026 TIPS support plan announcement on K-Startup.
- Benefit
- cash
- Equity-free
- Yes
- Decision time
- —
- Credit validity
- —
- Deadline
- 2026 plan open through 2026-12-31 (nomination-based)
- Status
- Open
Verified 2026-10-23 · source