KISED showcases South Korea's startup environment and support initiatives at the BEYOND Expo.

      At the BEYOND Expo 2026, the Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development (KISED) showcased South Korea’s startup ecosystem and government-funded support initiatives to global entrepreneurs and investors, emphasizing the country’s approach to attracting international startups through innovation, industrial resources, and supportive policies.

      A representative from KISED mentioned that, in contrast to traditional businesses that focus primarily on product sales, the institute seeks to promote South Korea's comprehensive startup ecosystem to entrepreneurs globally. The representative highlighted that South Korea presents not just a promising market but also a crucial gateway for international startups aiming to penetrate the Asian market.

      The representative pointed out the competitive advantages South Korea holds in innovation, noting its world-class digital infrastructure, sophisticated electronic payment systems, and consistent growth in R&D investment. These strengths have allowed South Korea to maintain a leading status in global rankings for innovation and research competitiveness, thus positioning it as one of the most appealing locations for startups and innovation.

      Furthermore, South Korea’s startup ecosystem has evolved over the past two decades. Following the Asian financial crisis, the nation began restructuring its economy, shifting away from heavy dependence on large conglomerates to cultivate a more diversified, innovation-driven economy. Currently, technology startups significantly contribute to economic growth.

      KISED also mentioned that South Korea is home to globally recognized companies like Samsung, SK Hynix, and Hyundai Motor. The government actively promotes open innovation between major corporations and startups, thereby creating additional opportunities and resources for emerging enterprises.

      As a body associated with South Korea’s Ministry of SMEs and Startups, KISED acts as a national platform to support startups. The representative indicated that the organization manages an annual budget of roughly $1 billion to encourage entrepreneurial development. To date, KISED has aided over 8,000 startups in various domains, including entrepreneurship education, incubation, commercialization, investment matchmaking, and international expansion.

      For international startup collaboration, KISED has launched several programs tailored for foreign entrepreneurs. The flagship K-Startup Grand Challenge, for instance, garners more than 2,000 applications yearly from overseas startups, with only about 80 selected for participation. The selected teams benefit from a three-month acceleration program, commercialization assistance, and opportunities to pitch to investors. Applications for the 2026 program are currently open to startup teams from around the globe.

      KISED also runs the Global Startup Center, offering office space, business incorporation support, startup training, networking opportunities, and resource connections for foreign entrepreneurs. The center is aimed at helping international teams acclimate to the Korean market more effectively.

      For high-potential international startups, KISED provides commercialization support programs, which can offer up to $50,000 in funding and assistance for establishing operations and expanding within the Korean market.

      Recently, the Korean government has introduced the Startup Korea Special Visa to attract global entrepreneurial talent. The KISED representative explained that this visa focuses on assessing a startup's innovation and compatibility with the Korean market, allowing qualified applicants to receive approval in as little as one month without the need for prior travel to Korea.

      In conclusion, KISED encouraged entrepreneurs attending the event to consider South Korea as a strategic launch point for entering the Asian market. The organization committed to enhancing its startup support framework and international collaboration network, aiming to cultivate a more open and globally competitive innovation ecosystem.

      Jessie Wu is a technology reporter based in Shanghai, covering consumer electronics, semiconductors, and the gaming industry for TechNode. You can connect with her via email at jessie.wu@technode.com.