Youth Startup Academy Recruiting 16th Cohort... Dual Track Operation with Basic and Advanced Programs

Reorganized into Basic, Deep Tech, and Global Advanced Tracks
New System Introduced to Select "Experienced Entrepreneurs" for Expanded Second-Chance Opportunities

On February 1, the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency announced that it will be recruiting the 16th cohort of students for the Youth Startup Academy until the 13th, in order to foster promising young entrepreneurs. Starting this year, the Academy will introduce advanced tracks focused on “deep tech” such as AI and biotechnology, as well as “global” programs aimed at overseas expansion.

Exterior of the Youth Startup Academy. Korea SMEs and Startups Agency

The Youth Startup Academy is a startup incubation program that selects young entrepreneurs with outstanding startup ideas and innovative technologies, and provides a comprehensive package of support throughout the entire startup process. This includes workspace, education, mentoring, and commercialization funds. Through the Youth Startup Academy, the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency supports all stages of entrepreneurship, from preparation and commercialization to global expansion, policy funding, exports, and sales channels by linking various policy initiatives.

Since its establishment in 2011, the Youth Startup Academy marks its 16th year in 2026, and has produced a total of 9,319 young entrepreneurs to date. Last year, one company was listed on KOSDAQ and another on KONEX, while five unicorn companies (two pre-unicorns and three baby unicorns) were designated. At CES 2026, two companies won the Best Innovation Award and 26 companies received Innovation Awards, demonstrating continued tangible achievements.

Starting this year, the Youth Startup Academy will be reorganized into a basic track and advanced deep tech and global tracks to better support the early commercialization success, global expansion, and scaling up of young startups. The deep tech track will provide in-depth technology commercialization programs for startups in fields such as AI and biotechnology, while the global track will offer comprehensive packages for overseas expansion.

Additionally, a new system will be introduced to select “experienced entrepreneurs” who have prior startup experience, in order to expand opportunities for young entrepreneurs to make a second attempt at starting a business.

Currently, the Youth Startup Academy operates 19 locations nationwide. The program will be divided into 16 basic track locations and 3 locations (Seoul, Gwangju, and Gyeongsan) for the advanced global and deep tech tracks.

Eligible applicants are companies established within the past three years whose representative is aged 39 or younger. The selection quota is 650 for the basic track and 300 for the advanced tracks (200 deep tech, 100 global). The basic track is open to startups less than three years old, while the advanced tracks are available to those less than seven years old.

Finalists selected for admission to the Youth Startup Academy may receive startup commercialization support covering up to 70% of total project costs, with a maximum of 100 million won for the basic track and up to 200 million won for the advanced track. In addition, a variety of support will be provided for early-stage startups, including office space, prototyping infrastructure, startup education and coaching, and assistance with market entry.

Applicants wishing to join the Youth Startup Academy can apply via the K-Startup portal until 4:00 p.m. on the 13th. Detailed information about the program announcement can be found on the K-Startup portal and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups website.

Sukkyoon Kang, Chairman of the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency, stated, “Young startups are the key to driving economic innovation and job creation, and are at the core of our economic future. We will actively discover startups in super-gap and new industries, as well as those making a second attempt, and provide strong support so they can become the driving force of our economy.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.