Startup support is run separately by different ministries and agencies, so hunting them down one by one takes a long time. Checking things in order — from searching to securing funding — cuts down on wasted effort.
1First, search for what support programs exist
You can search all startup support programs run by the government and local governments in one place on the K-Startup Support Portal. If you want to cast a wider net that includes support programs for SMEs and small business owners, also check Bizinfo.
2If you're a small business owner, start with policy funds
Small-business policy funds, management consulting, and loss compensation can all be applied for through the Small Enterprise and Market Service (SEMAS) (1357). If your business has grown into more of an SME, look into stage-based low-interest loans from Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSMES) Policy Funds.
3If you're short on collateral or credit, get a guarantee first
If you want a loan but lack sufficient collateral or credit, you can go through the Korea Federation of Credit Guarantee Foundations to get a guarantee certificate from your regional Credit Guarantee Foundation and connect it to a loan.
Services mentioned in this guide
K-Startup Support Portal
An integrated startup platform for searching and applying to every startup support program run by the government and local governments in one place
24 hours
Operated by · 중소벤처기업부·창업진흥원
Cost · Free
Bizinfo
An integrated portal run by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups that gathers support-program announcements for small and medium enterprises and small business owners from central government, local governments, and public institutions
24 hours
Operated by · 중소벤처기업부
Cost · Free
Small Enterprise and Market Service (SEMAS) (1357)
SEMAS is the main support agency for small business owners, covering everything from policy-fund loans to management consulting and loss compensation
Weekdays 09:00-18:00
Operated by · 중소벤처기업부
Cost · Free
Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSMES) Policy Funds
KOSMES's policy-fund application service, offering low-interest loans for businesses at every stage from startup to growth-stage SME
24 hours (regional headquarters counseling weekdays 09:00-18:00)
Operated by · 중소벤처기업진흥공단
Cost · Paid
Korea Federation of Credit Guarantee Foundations
An organization that connects small business owners lacking collateral or credit to loans by having a regional credit guarantee foundation issue them a guarantee
Weekdays 09:00-18:00 (varies by regional foundation)
Operated by · 신용보증재단중앙회
Cost · Free