South Korea is scaling up its deep-tech ambitions. The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) has announced the 2026 Super-Gap Startup Project, which will fund 120 high-potential startups across twelve emerging industries — from AI and semiconductors to fusion energy and robotics. The move reinforces the government’s vision of positioning Korea as a global hub for deep-tech innovation and industrial transformation.

MSS Launches 2026 Super-Gap Project: ₩2.2 Billion Support for Deep-Tech Startups

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups has revealed its plan to open applications for the 2026 Super-Gap Startup Project on December 29, 2025, with the call period running until January 23, 2026.

The program will select 120 startups in the first round and eventually support 200 deep-tech ventures under two stages — Core-DIPS (basic support) and Global-DIPS (follow-up support) — each designed to strengthen Korea’s industrial competitiveness in next-generation technologies.

Each selected startup will receive up to KRW 1.2 billion in direct support, combining KRW 600 million for commercialization and KRW 600 million for R&D over a total of five-year period. Startups that achieve strong results in sales, employment, or investment will qualify for up to KRW 1 billion in additional global scale-up funding over two years.

The ministry will also connect beneficiaries with national policy tools, including technology guarantees, export vouchers, and venture policy loans to accelerate market readiness.

From 10 Industries to 12 Future Growth Fields

First launched in 2023, the Super-Gap Startup Project has become the government’s flagship deep-tech acceleration program. It has already nurtured 604 startups, helping produce three global unicorns — including FuriosaAI — and 14 KOSDAQ-listed companies such as Nota.

Building on this record, the 2026 edition expands its scope in line with Korea’s six strategic industries and twelve future innovation sectors, reflecting the national “super-innovation economy” agenda.

The six strategic categories (A–F) and their twelve focus areas are:

• A: Artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum & cybersecurity, robotics, mobility
• B: Bio and new drug development, healthcare
• C: Content industry
• D: Defense, aerospace, and marine technology
• E: Green technology, energy, and nuclear fusion
• F: Sensors and manufacturing processes

Through this new structure, the MSS aims to direct venture capital and R&D pipelines toward high-impact technologies that could define Korea’s competitiveness in the next decade.

Deep-Tech Startups as Industrial Catalysts

Minister Han Seong-sook emphasized that deep-tech innovation is not merely an extension of startup creativity but a transformative force reshaping industrial structures.

The minister said,

“Deep-tech goes beyond ideas — it redefines how industries evolve. Through the Super-Gap Project, we will ensure that Korea’s most innovative startups become global leaders in markets ranging from AI to clean energy.”

Han added that the project will strengthen public-private collaboration, signaling a continued national focus on frontier technologies and their commercialization.

Specialized Programs: Tech-Up, Link-Up, and Boost-Up

Alongside direct financial support, MSS will operate three thematic initiatives to ensure startups grow into global-scale enterprises:

• Tech-Up Program: Promotes rapid commercialization by integrating external technologies with startups’ in-house R&D. This includes selecting 10 new fabless semiconductor startups, each receiving up to KRW 250 million for prototype production and IP design.
• Link-Up Program: Facilitates open innovation partnerships between startups and large corporations, with a focus on domain-specific AI transformation, vertical AI, and large language model applications.
• Boost-Up Program: Strengthens global expansion access to international investors through the Super-Gap Venture Capital Membership, organizing investment roadshows across the U.S., Japan, and Europe.

Korea’s Deep-Tech Strategy Matures with Super-Gap Startup Project

Beyond its seemingly another startup funding program, Korea’s Super-Gap initiative represents the country’s strategic engine for deep-tech self-sufficiency at a time when global supply chains and technological ecosystems are rapidly evolving.

The focus on sectors like quantum computing, nuclear fusion, and defense tech signals a shift from short-cycle software startups toward hard-tech ventures that can anchor national competitiveness in the AI and post-semiconductor era.

For investors, the project also expands opportunities within Korea’s deep-tech ecosystem. By linking R&D, commercialization, and global investment networks, it creates a structured pipeline for scale-up and exit — a critical missing piece in Korea’s venture capital landscape until recently.

Korea’s Deep-Tech Rebalance for 2026 and Beyond

The 2026 Super-Gap Project marks a decisive step in Korea’s deep-tech evolution. It demonstrates how public policy can synchronize innovation, capital, and industrial transition toward long-term technological sovereignty.

As Korea enters 2026, the success of this program will not only determine the trajectory of the nation’s AI and semiconductor leadership, but also shape how its startups compete globally in green energy, defense, and next-generation computing.

If executed effectively, the project could position Korea among the world’s leading deep-tech ecosystems — where startup innovation, industrial policy, and venture capital converge to drive the technologies of tomorrow.

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