Korea SMEs and Startups Agency
KSC Hub-based projects
The Korea SMEs and Startups Agency operates the K-Startup Center (KSC) Hub Program, facilitating the expansion of promising Korean startups into the U.S. market.
- Support period
- 1 year from the agreement date, extendable in 1-year increments up to a total of 3 years
- Support scale
- Approximately 30 startups, depending on hub occupancy
- Eligibility
- Startups that, as of the application date, qualify as SMEs and entrepreneurial companies under the provisions of the Framework Act on SMEs and the Act on Support for SME Startups, respectively, and have secured external domestic or international investment (excluding investments from parent or affiliated companies). Companies with export experience to the U.S. or adjacent countries within the last three years.
Note: Companies that meet the above requirements but fall under the exclusion
Exclusion Criteria
- • Companies that are suspended or closed
- • Companies delinquent in national or local tax payments
- • Companies delinquent in national or local tax payments
- • The CEO or a company is presently barred from taking part in government support programs because of a breach of the Subsidy Management Act or other relevant regulations.
- • Companies that have caused social controversy related to corporate management, including cases of fund embezzlement by executives or employees.
- • Companies engaged in industries considered unsuitable for public support due to societal concerns.
- • Companies that failed a support program selection and for which less than six months have passed since the rejection date.
Application Method :Online application via the KSC website (k-startupcenter.org) or the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency website (kosmes.or.kr).
ApplicationKorea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development
KSC Program Projects
The Institute facilitates the international growth of domestic startups by providing customized support through global programs connected with local Accelerators (ACs).
These programs offer services such as 1:1 networking, local market entry consulting, office space access, and funding for expansion.
- Support scale
- Approximately 30 startups (subject to change)
- Eligibility
- Startups that have been in operation for up to 7 years as of the application date and meet the definition of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) under the Framework Act on SMEs. Eligible applicants must have obtained domestic or international investment or demonstrate sales/export performance in the target market.
(Note: SMEs operating in new industries may receive support for up to 10 years.)
Exclusion Criteria
- • Currently restricted financially as a result of failing to meet obligations to financial institutions.
- • Delinquent in national or local tax payments
- • Support for Small and Medium Enterprise Establishment Act Companies operating in the industries excluded from startup classification under Article 4
- • Companies currently participating in a mutually exclusive project under the Ministry of SMEs and Startups’ Global Startup Support Program.
* Fostering global leading companies in tourism, global accelerating, Global Startup Academy, AI-dedicated accelerating program
** Applications are allowed as long as the fiscal years are different, regardless of the remaining duration of any other ongoing project agreements. - • Companies that participated in the program from 2019 to 2024, including suspended or voluntarily withdrawn participants.
- • Companies currently sanctioned and barred from participating in Ministry of SMEs and Startups’ support programs.
- • Companies currently suspended or has ceased business operations as of the application date.
- • The company’s personnel are currently serving as the General Manager, full-time staff, or concurrent staff within the dedicated program team of the lead implementing agency.
- • Companies listed by the Ministry of Employment and Labor for habitually delaying wage payments, under the Labor Standards Act.
- • Companies excluded from project implementation under Article 31.2 (Exclusion from Execution of Subsidy Projects, etc.) of the Act on the Management of Subsidies.
- • Any other case in which the Minister of SMEs and Startups determines there is a valid reason to restrict participation.
Application Method : Online application via the Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development website (www.k-startup.go.kr)
Application