Super-Gap Startup Program 2026: How Foreign Founders Can Access ₩100B Deep-Tech Funding

Table of Contents

Introduction: Korea’s Boldest Bet on Deep-Tech Startups

In December 2025, Korea’s Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) announced the 2026 Super-Gap Startup Project (슈퍼갭 스타트업 육성사업), a government-backed initiative to fund 120 high-potential startups across twelve emerging industries—from AI and semiconductors to fusion energy and robotics.

Unlike traditional startup grants that scatter small amounts across hundreds of companies, the Super-Gap program is designed to concentrate resources on breakthrough technologies that can establish Korea as a global leader in next-generation industries.

Here’s what makes it unprecedented:

• ₩100 billion in combined investment and support per selected startup (government + private co-investment)
• Multi-year funding (3-5 years, not one-time grants)
• Open to foreign-invested entities (with conditions)
• Focus on “super-gap” technologies: innovations where Korea can leapfrog competitors

For foreign founders building deep-tech companies, this is Korea’s equivalent of DARPA funding or EU Horizon grants—but with faster timelines and clearer commercialization pathways.

This guide explains:

• What qualifies as a “Super-Gap” startup
• The 12 priority industries for 2026
• Eligibility requirements for foreign founders
• Application process and selection criteria
• How to maximize your chances of selection

What Is a “Super-Gap” Startup?

The term “Super-Gap” (슈퍼갭) refers to technologies where Korea can establish a technological lead of 3+ years over global competitors. It’s not about incremental improvement—it’s about paradigm shifts.

Examples of Super-Gap Technologies (2024-2025 Cohorts)

• Quantum cryptography systems for national security networks
• Next-gen battery tech (solid-state, lithium-metal) for EVs
• AI-driven drug discovery platforms using Korean genomic data
• Fusion energy components and plasma control systems
• Space launch micro-satellites and propulsion systems

What Doesn’t Qualify?

• Me-too SaaS products (e.g., “ChatGPT for Korea”)
• E-commerce platforms without deep-tech differentiation
• Service businesses without proprietary R&D
• Technologies already commoditized globally

The 12 Priority Industries for 2026

The 2026 Super-Gap program targets these sectors:

Pro Tip: If your startup touches multiple sectors (e.g., AI + Biotech), highlight the intersection in your application. Cross-disciplinary teams score higher in evaluations.

Funding Structure: How the ₩100B Breaks Down

The “₩100B per startup” figure is a combined package, not a lump-sum grant:

Direct Government Support (₩20-30B)

• R&D grants: ₩10-15B over 3 years (non-dilutive)
• Commercialization support: ₩5-10B for pilot production, regulatory approval, IP protection
• Talent acquisition subsidies: Up to ₩3B for hiring PhDs and senior engineers

Private Co-Investment (₩30-50B)

• MSS coordinates with Korea Venture Investment Corp (KVIC) and pension funds to match government funding
• Equity investment at market terms (not concessional)
• Government acts as LP (Limited Partner) to de-risk private VCs

Infrastructure & In-Kind Support (₩20-30B)

• Access to government research facilities (KIST, ETRI, KAIST labs)
• Free office space in government innovation hubs (Pangyo, Daedeok Innopolis)
• Regulatory sandbox placement for testing without full compliance
• Global expansion support: Trade missions, overseas R&D center setup

Corporate Partnership Facilitation (value varies)

• Direct introductions to Samsung, LG, Hyundai, SK procurement teams
• Joint R&D programs with chaebols (government-subsidized)
• Pilot contracts from public institutions (hospitals, utilities, defense)

Eligibility Requirements for Foreign Founders

Who Can Apply?

✅ Eligible Entities

1. Korean corporations (주식회사, 유한회사) with foreign investment
2. Foreign-invested startups registered under Korea’s Foreign Investment Promotion Act (FIPA)
3. Joint ventures between foreign founders and Korean partners (minimum 20% foreign ownership)

❌ Not Eligible

• Pure foreign entities without Korean incorporation (you must have a local company)
• Branch offices (지점) – only full legal entities qualify
• Companies older than 7 years from initial incorporation
• Startups with government debt or tax arrears

Key Requirements

Foreign Founder Exception: If the technical founder is non-Korean but holds a D-8 (startup) visa or E-7 (special tech) visa, the company is still eligible. The key is Korean entity registration and physical presence.

Application Process: Timeline & Steps

2026 Application Timeline

Required Documents (All Must Be in Korean or Have Certified Korean Translation)

1. Business Plan (사업계획서)

• Length: 30-50 pages
• Sections:
  • Technology differentiation vs. global competitors
  • Commercialization roadmap (next 3-5 years)
  • Market size & entry strategy
  • Team qualifications
  • Financial projections
  • IP portfolio & R&D milestones

2. Technical Whitepaper

• Peer-reviewed evidence of technology viability
• Patent landscapes analysis
• Prototype/MVP demonstration (video or test results)

3. Financial Statements

• Last 2 years audited financials (if applicable)
• Cap table showing current ownership structure
• Proof of R&D expenditure (≥20% of revenue)

4. Team CVs

• Academic credentials (PhD verification)
• Prior startup/corporate experience
• Publication records for researchers

5. Letters of Intent (선호)

• From potential corporate customers (e.g., Samsung, LG)
• From research institutions (joint R&D agreements)
• From investors (co-investment commitments)

Pro Tip: The Letters of Intent section often decides borderline cases. If you can show Samsung or a major hospital is willing to pilot your technology, your chances increase dramatically.

Selection Criteria: What Evaluators Look For

Applications are scored across five dimensions:

1. Technology Excellence (30 points)

• Is the technology defensible (strong IP)?
• Does it solve a problem better than global alternatives?
• Is it at the right TRL for commercialization?

2. Team Capability (25 points)

• Do founders have domain expertise?
• Track record of execution (prior exits, publications, patents)?
• Diversity (bonus points for female founders, international teams)

3. Market Potential (20 points)

• TAM (Total Addressable Market) > $1B globally
• Clear path to Korean market traction (pilot customers, partnerships)
• Export potential (can this scale beyond Korea?)

4. Economic Impact (15 points)

• Job creation potential (high-skill jobs in Korea)
• Supply chain contribution (does it strengthen Korean industrial base?)
• Import substitution (reduces Korea’s dependence on foreign tech)

5. Alignment with National Priorities (10 points)

• Does it support carbon neutrality goals?
• Contribution to national security (semiconductors, cyber, space)
• Addresses demographic challenges (aging, population decline)

Insider Insight: The 2025 cohort showed that teams with Samsung/LG alumni and KAIST/SNU professors as advisors scored 15-20% higher. If you’re a foreign founder, recruiting a well-connected Korean co-founder or advisory board member is critical.

Case Study: How a Foreign Deep-Tech Startup Won Super-Gap Funding

Company: QuantumShield (fictional example)
Founders: MIT PhD (USA) + KAIST professor (Korea)
Technology: Quantum-safe encryption for financial institutions
Industry: Cybersecurity + Quantum Computing

Their Winning Strategy

1. Korean Entity Setup (6 months before application)

   • Incorporated as 주식회사 with 60% foreign ownership
   • Secured D-8 visa for U.S. founder
   • Rented physical office in Pangyo (not virtual)

2. Strategic Partnerships (secured before applying)

   • LOI from KB Kookmin Bank to pilot quantum encryption
   • Joint R&D agreement with ETRI (Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute)
   • MOU with Korea Financial Security Institute (금융보안원)

3. IP Portfolio

   • Filed 5 patent applications (2 in Korea, 3 PCT international)
   • Published 2 peer-reviewed papers in top cryptography journals

4. Team Strengthening

   • Hired 2 Korean PhD researchers from KAIST
   • Recruited former Samsung SDS executive as COO

5. Application Execution

   • Hired professional Korean translator for business plan (₩8M cost)
   • Worked with Korean startup consulting firm to refine pitch
   • Presented in Korean (U.S. founder learned basic Korean for presentation)

Result:

• Selected in 2025 Super-Gap cohort
• Received ₩25B government grant over 3 years
• Attracted ₩40B private co-investment led by Korean VCs
• Now deploying pilots with 3 major Korean banks

Common Mistakes Foreign Founders Make

1. Applying Without a Korean Entity

You must incorporate in Korea before applying. Budget 3-6 months for setup (FDI notification, bank account, office lease).

2. Underestimating Korean Language Requirements

While some evaluators speak English, all documents must be in Korean. Machine translation is insufficient—hire professional translators.

3. Weak Korean Partnership Narrative

Evaluators want to see how your technology will strengthen Korea’s industrial base. Generic “we’ll serve the global market” pitches fail. Show Korean customer traction.

4. Ignoring Regional Politics

The government prioritizes balanced regional development. If your office is in Seoul/Pangyo, you’ll face stiffer competition. Consider Daejeon (Daedeok Innopolis), Busan (biotech hub), or Gwangju (AI cluster) for bonus points.

5. Not Understanding TRL Requirements

• Too early (TRL 1-3): Apply for pre-Super-Gap programs (Early-Stage R&D grants)
• Too late (TRL 8-9): Apply for scale-up programs (not Super-Gap)

Alternative Pathways If You Don’t Get Super-Gap

If you’re not selected in 2026, these programs offer similar support:

1. TIPS (Tech Incubator Program for Startup)

• ₩500M non-dilutive grant + incubator support
• 1,200 companies funded annually
• Lower bar than Super-Gap but still competitive

2. K-Unicorn Project

• For Series A+ startups aiming for unicorn valuation (₩1T+)
• Government coordinates ₩100B+ investment rounds

3. Sector-Specific Programs

• K-Bio Scale-Up Fund (biotech)
• Green New Deal Startups (climate tech)
• Defense Innovation Fund (dual-use tech)

4. Regional Government Programs

• Gyeonggi Province, Busan, Daejeon offer local Super-Gap equivalents
• Smaller funding (₩5-10B) but higher acceptance rates

How Saemunan Law Office Can Help

We provide end-to-end support for foreign founders applying to the Super-Gap program:

Pre-Application Phase

• Korean entity setup optimized for Super-Gap eligibility
• D-8 visa applications for foreign technical founders
• Partnership brokering with Korean research institutions and corporates

Application Phase

• Business plan translation (certified Korean translation)
• Application review by former MSS evaluators (consulting partners)
• Pitch coaching for final selection round

Post-Selection Phase

• Grant disbursement and compliance monitoring
• IP strategy for patent filings in Korea and internationally
• Corporate structuring for co-investment rounds

Our team has supported 8 foreign-founded deep-tech startups in prior Super-Gap and TIPS cohorts, with a 75% acceptance rate (vs. 10-15% average).

Conclusion: Korea’s Deep-Tech Window Is Open

The Super-Gap program represents Korea’s most aggressive push to build a deep-tech ecosystem that rivals Silicon Valley, Shenzhen, or Tel Aviv. For foreign founders, the timing is ideal:

• Capital is concentrated: Unlike the U.S. where funding is scattered, Korea’s government + chaebol ecosystem can deploy ₩100B per startup
• Regulatory support: Sandboxes and fast-track pathways for breakthrough tech
• Export platform: Korea’s trade agreements give access to 60+ countries tariff-free

The bar is high, but for founders with breakthrough technology, strong IP, and Korean partnerships, the Super-Gap program offers a faster, better-funded path to global commercialization than most Western markets.

📩 Planning to apply for the 2026 Super-Gap program?
Contact us at sma@saemunan.com for a free eligibility assessment and application strategy consultation.