TIPS (Tech Incubator Program for Startups)
TIPS is South Korea's flagship private-investment-led startup program, run by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups. Accredited private operators (accelerators and VCs) invest in and recommend tech startups, and the government then adds non-dilutive R&D funding plus mentoring and commercialization and overseas marketing support. More than 4,400 companies have taken part since 2013.
At a glance
TIPS (Tech Incubator Program for Startups) key facts
- Investment
- $580K
- Deal terms
- Operator invests equity first (amount set by the operator). Government R&D grant is non-dilutive, up to KRW 800M (about US$580K) per company under the 2026 general track, up from KRW 500M. Scale-up TIPS offers up to KRW 3B, and the new Global TIPS track up to KRW 6B. Founders apply through an accredited TIPS operator.
- Duration
- Up to 2 years (general track); up to 3 years (deep-tech track)
- Headquarters
- Seoul, South Korea
- Cohort locations
- South Korea
- Stage
- idea, pre-seed, seed
- Sectors
- deep tech, general
- Application cycle
- Year-round via accredited operators, which recommend startups for periodic selection rounds
Verified November 4, 2026 against the sources below. Terms change; confirm on the official site before applying.
Timing
Rolling: register on the TIPS site and approach an operator in your field. For 2026 the ministry planned R&D support for 800 startups, with half of general-track slots prioritized for companies outside the Seoul metro area. Grant figures come from ministry announcements reported by Asia Business Daily.
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Notable alumni
- Rebellions
- Lunit
FAQ
Applying to TIPS (Tech Incubator Program for Startups)
- How much does TIPS (Tech Incubator Program for Startups) invest?
- TIPS (Tech Incubator Program for Startups)'s standard deal: Operator invests equity first (amount set by the operator). Government R&D grant is non-dilutive, up to KRW 800M (about US$580K) per company under the 2026 general track, up from KRW 500M. Scale-up TIPS offers up to KRW 3B, and the new Global TIPS track up to KRW 6B. Founders apply through an accredited TIPS operator.
- When is the TIPS (Tech Incubator Program for Startups) application deadline?
- Application cycle: Year-round via accredited operators, which recommend startups for periodic selection rounds. Rolling: register on the TIPS site and approach an operator in your field. For 2026 the ministry planned R&D support for 800 startups, with half of general-track slots prioritized for companies outside the Seoul metro area. Grant figures come from ministry announcements reported by Asia Business Daily.
- Where is TIPS (Tech Incubator Program for Startups) based?
- TIPS (Tech Incubator Program for Startups) is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea.
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