K-Startup Grand Challenge2027 deadline, funding, equity and how to apply
Korean government program for foreign-led startups: free workspace in Pangyo and Gangnam, startup visas, prize money and grants, no published equity. 2026 intake closed June 17.
- Up to $105K
- Funding
- Not published
- Equity
- About 11 months in three phases
- Program length
- Dates TBA
- Applications
About K-Startup Grand Challenge
K-Startup Grand Challenge (KSGC) is South Korea's government accelerator for startups founded outside Korea. The Ministry of SMEs and Startups runs it, and it has operated since 2016. The program says it has received about 18,000 applications, graduated 427 startups and helped found 214 Korean entities.
The main rule is simple. The CEO or representative founder must not be a Korean citizen, though Korean co-founders are allowed and you do not need to be incorporated to apply. What sets KSGC apart is the settlement package.
Selected teams get free workspace in Pangyo and Gangnam, help setting up a Korean legal entity, and visa support that moves from a C-3 business visa to the D-10-2 startup preparation visa and then the D-8-4 startup visa. Later phases add legal, tax, accounting and hiring services. The money comes as prizes and grants, not investment.
A third-party guide based on the 2026 recruitment guidelines reports a KRW 100 million first prize at Demo Day and commercialization grants of KRW 20 to 50 million for the top 8 teams. Phase 2 teams can also receive up to KRW 8 million in travel and stay support. The program publishes no equity charge or participation fee.
The 2026 main track closed on June 17, 2026, and the international student track closed on August 14, 2026.
What K-Startup Grand Challenge looks for
KSGC wants foreign founders who have a real reason to build in Korea. That means a product that fits Korean corporate partners, a plan to open a local entity, and willingness to relocate at least part of the team as the program moves from online to on-site. Selection runs through document and video review, a presentation round and a Demo Day, so a clear founder video and early traction matter. Teams in AI, deep tech, mobility, health and enterprise software fit the corporate PoC model best.
How the K-Startup Grand Challenge program works
The 2026 edition runs in three phases. Phase 1, Discover, runs online from July to September 2026 with 80 teams. Phase 2, Accelerate, runs from September to December 2026 with 40 teams, combining online work with visits to Korea.
Teams in this phase can receive up to KRW 4 million per visit for two visits. Phase 3, Scale, runs from December 2026 to June 2027 with the top 20 teams after Demo Day. The top 8 receive extra commercialization grants.
Throughout, teams get dedicated program managers, mentoring, corporate partnership and PoC introductions, and a help desk. After graduation, KSGC offers up to 3 years of continued support with investor, corporate and expansion help. The program runs mainly in English.
How to apply to K-Startup Grand Challenge
- 1Check that your CEO or representative founder is not a Korean citizen. Korean co-founders are allowed.
- 2Watch ksgc.global for the next recruitment guidelines. The 2026 window ran from May 6 to June 17.
- 3Fill in the online form with basic startup information. It takes about 15 to 20 minutes.
- 4Upload a founder video under 2 minutes as an MP4 or YouTube link, plus an optional pitch deck.
- 5Ask a partner embassy or organization for a recommendation, which can earn additional consideration.
- 6Prepare for document and video review, then a presentation evaluation for Phase 2.
Startup perks after acceptance
Accelerator startups qualify for most startup credit programs. These are the ones founders claim first.
Notable K-Startup Grand Challenge alumni
Companies that went through or were backed by K-Startup Grand Challenge.
K-Startup Grand Challenge vs similar accelerators
| Program | Funding | Equity | Location | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| K-Startup Grand Challenge | Up to $105K | Not published | Seongnam | Next deadline not announced yet |
| Wayra (Telefónica) | Up to $5.8M | Minority stake | Madrid | Rolling admissions |
| EIC Accelerator | Up to $2.9M | None on grant | EU | November 4, 2026 (8 days left) |
| PearX | Up to $2M | ~7% | San Francisco Bay Area | Rolling admissions |
| Dreamit Ventures | Up to $1.5M | Not published | New York | Rolling admissions |
| Seedcamp | Up to $1.3M | Varies | London, UK | Rolling admissions |
K-Startup Grand Challenge FAQ
When is the K-Startup Grand Challenge application deadline?+
K-Startup Grand Challenge has not announced its next deadline yet (2026 cohort running (July 2026 to June 2027); 2027 call not yet announced). We check the official site every month and update this page when dates are published.
Does K-Startup Grand Challenge take equity?+
No equity charge or participation fee is published for the main track. The money comes as Demo Day prize money and commercialization grants, not as an investment. A third-party guide notes this is the absence of a published term rather than a written guarantee, so confirm with the program office at apply@ksgc.global before you sign anything.
Can a Korean founder apply?+
Only as a co-founder. The CEO or representative founder must be a non-Korean citizen. Korean co-founders can be on the team. You do not need to be incorporated anywhere to apply, and selected teams get help setting up a Korean legal entity, which is registered in the name of the representative founder listed in the application.
What visa support does KSGC provide?+
The program lists a C-3 short-term business visa for eligible nationalities, the D-10-2 startup preparation visa during Phase 2, and the D-8-4 startup visa during Phase 3. Visa recommendation letters can be issued for up to three founders of the Korean entity. This visa path is one of the main reasons foreign founders apply.
Sources: ksgc.global, ksgc.global, hub.causo.ai, mrem.bernama.com, ecosistemastartup.com