On June 2, the ministry held a plaque ceremony and meeting at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) Munji Campus in Daejeon, targeting new super-gap startups established in non-metropolitan regions in 2026.
The meeting aimed to encourage super-gap startups driving innovative growth in non-metropolitan areas and to gather feedback to enhance region-focused new industry startup policies.
The 'Super-Gap Startup Project' selects startups in new industry sectors that will lead the future of the national economy and nurtures them into global unicorns through support programs for technology commercialization and development. Since its launch in 2023, the project has selected around 200 companies annually and has nurtured a total of 804 companies to date. Notably, the selection rate for new companies in non-metropolitan areas has increased from 28.7% in 2023 to 35.5% this year. The annual selection rates for non-metropolitan areas are 28.7% in 2023, 30% in 2024, 33% in 2025, and 35.5% in 2026.
Starting this year, the government has expanded and restructured the focus from 10 key sectors to 12 new industries, reflecting global technology and market trends. The 12 new industry sectors identified by the ministry include: AI models and infrastructure, semiconductors, mobility, quantum security and networks, robotics, life sciences and new drugs, healthcare, content, defense, aerospace and marine, eco-friendliness, energy, nuclear power, and fusion, and advanced manufacturing (sensors and processes).
The selected 200 startups will receive up to 600 million won in commercialization funds over three years, along with additional technology development funds of up to 600 million won based on separate evaluations, totaling 1.2 billion won in direct support. They will also benefit from infrastructure for technology development, open innovation, and global expansion through specialized institutions in various fields, including investment and exports.
Additionally, from 2023, 15 outstanding startups that have achieved significant results in sales, employment, and investment will be selected for follow-up support of up to 1 billion won in commercialization funds for global scaling over the next two years.
The ministry aims to use this meeting as a starting point to spread the entrepreneurial wave of new industries in the region by establishing 'super-gap regional governance' involving local governments, related organizations, venture capital, and startups across 10 regional offices. They plan to continue supporting local startups through investment briefings, one-on-one investment consultations, and meetups with large and medium-sized enterprises.
Noh Yong-seok, the first vice minister of SMEs and Startups, stated, "The increasing selection rate of new super-gap startups in non-metropolitan areas will greatly contribute to regional economic growth."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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