The Gyeonggi-do Business & Science Accelerator (GBSA) is consolidating three technology startup support programs into a single initiative, selecting a total of 70 companies. The agency has restructured the system to allow prospective entrepreneurs, early-stage founders, and those attempting business restarts to compare programs and submit multiple applications simultaneously.
The recruitment covers three categories: "Pre-startup and Early-stage Technology Startup Support," "Technology Startup Restart Support," and "Pet Industry Startup Support." The pre-startup and early-stage program will select 40 companies in technology sectors including IT, bio, and machinery materials. Prospective entrepreneurs can receive up to 10 million won, while early-stage founders within three years of establishment can receive up to 30 million won in commercialization funding. Ten early-stage startups based in northern Gyeonggi Province will receive priority selection.
The restart support program targets 10 technology-based entrepreneurs with prior business closure experience. Funding will be differentiated: 30 million won for one top performer, 22 million won each for two excellent performers, and 20 million won each for seven encouragement awardees. At least 30% of selected participants will be young entrepreneurs aged 39 or under.
The pet industry program will select 20 companies, providing up to 20 million won for prospective entrepreneurs and up to 30 million won for early-stage founders. Three companies achieving excellent results at the second-half IR demo day will receive additional support of up to 5 million won.
Selected companies will receive commercialization funding along with capacity-building programs including customized consulting from professional accelerators, IR demo days, and investment consultation sessions. The selection process consists of three stages: eligibility review, document evaluation, and presentation evaluation. Final results will be individually notified in April, with selected companies signing agreements in May and conducting projects for approximately six months.
Applications are accepted through the Gyeonggi Startup Platform until 3 p.m. on March 16.
"This unified announcement was designed to help entrepreneurs receive the support they need at the right time for their business stage," said GBSA President Kim Hyun-gon. "We will closely connect expert mentoring, investment linkages, and market entry support to establish Gyeonggi Province as the center of technology startups in Korea."
GBSA plans to expand follow-up investment linkages and performance support programs to continue supporting startup companies at each growth stage.